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AquaPlantA Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae
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Water Wisteria

Hygrophila difformis

Non-Native

Water Wysteria Locations in North America
Water Wysteria Locations in Southeast US

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

What is Water Wisteria?

Other common spellings and names include: water sprite.

Leaves:

  • Light green in color
  • Submersed leaves are slender and deeply notched
  • Emersed leaves are small and serrated with tiny hairs
  • Shape is determined by light and temperature
  • Lower temperatures = smooth edges & small leaves
  • Higher temperatures & brighter lights = divided leaves & closely arranged on the stem

Stem:

  • 8-20 inches long
  • Fern-like
  • Leaves and roots growing from each node

Where Does it Grow?

Non-Native

Water wisteria is commonly used in fresh water aquariums and can grow submerged or emergent.

Pros and Cons of Water Wisteria

Water wisteria is non-native to the United States, and tends to disrupt the ecosystem by pushing the native species out of their habitat.

This plant is not native to North America, but has naturalized in much of the United States. While it is not illegal to possess this plant in Texas, it should not be introduced into new water bodies and should be treated with herbicide when present.

How to Manage This Plant
Plant Glossary

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Aug 15: Water Quality for Fisheries Management

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Oct 17: Liming and Clearing Ponds

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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