Publication Summary

The objectives of the Aquatic Plant Technical Assistance Program are to provide advice on aquatic plant identification, biology, and management to government agencies and the public, to document aquatic plant distribution and habitat through site visits, and to assist with evaluating projects supported by Freshwater Aquatic Weed Program grant money.

The objectives of the Aquatic Plant Technical Assistance Program are to provide advice on aquatic plant identification, biology, and management to government agencies and the public, to document aquatic plant distribution and habitat through site visits, and to assist with evaluating projects supported by Freshwater Aquatic Weed Program grant money.

During the 1997 field season, aquatic plant data were gathered during 84 site visits to waterbodies located throughout the state. Several previously unknown populations of non-native invasive aquatic plants were recorded. These included six previously unknown populations of Myriophyllum spicatum, one population of Egeria densa, and one population of Myriophyllum aquaticum. Two new plants were recorded for the state, Typha angustifolia, which has the potential to become a noxious weed of wetland habitats, and Sagittaria rigida, a plant that is not known to become invasive. Other accomplishments during 1997 included gathering additional plants for the herbarium collection, providing educational and technical outreach, assisting with projects funded by Freshwater Aquatic Weed Program grant money, and providing assistance and editorial comments for the "Aquatic Plant Field Identification Guide" project.