Hydrochloa caroliniensis

Description

Southern watergrass is a perennial grass that forms dense colonies in shallow water. It’s leaves can be underwater (to 3 feet), floating, , or in dense colonies that can rise to 12 inches in height on stems to 3 feet long. Leaves are long and narrow (to 2 inches long).

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. Muskrats, nutria, and rabbits graze on watergrass.