Wolffiella gladiata
Illustration and photograph courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.
What is Florida Mudmidget?
Physical Characteristics
Leaves:
- Long
- Narrow
- Connected to form star-like colonies
- 0.2-0.4 inches long
Flowers:
- Extremely small
- Hard to see
Where Does it Grow?
USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Florida mudmidget can be found in lakes, ponds and streams just below the surface of the water.
Is it Invasive?
Florida mudmidget can be an aggressive invader of ponds and are often found mixed in with duckweed, mosquito fern, and/or watermeal. If colonies cover the surface of the water, then oxygen depletion and fish kills can occur. These plants should be controlled before they cover the entire surface of the pond.
Pros and Cons of Florida Mudmidget
Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.