Invasive Species Compendium

Detailed coverage of invasive species threatening livelihoods and the environment worldwide

Datasheet

Lagarosiphon major
(African elodea)

Toolbox

Datasheet

Lagarosiphon major (African elodea)

Index

Summary

  • Last modified
  • 27 September 2018
  • Datasheet Type(s)
  • Invasive Species
  • Preferred Scientific Name
  • Lagarosiphon major
  • Preferred Common Name
  • African elodea
  • Taxonomic Tree
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  •   Kingdom: Plantae
  •     Phylum: Spermatophyta
  •       Subphylum: Angiospermae
  •         Class: Monocotyledonae
  • Summary of Invasiveness

  • L. major is an aquatic, submerged plant that can grow in dense mats up to 2-3 m thick and cause many negative environmental and economic impacts. Some of these impacts include displacing native plant species, dec...

  • There are no pictures available for this datasheet

    If you can supply pictures for this datasheet please contact:

    Compendia
    CAB International
    Wallingford
    Oxfordshire
    OX10 8DE
    UK
    compend@cabi.org
  • Distribution map More information

Don't need the entire report?

Generate a print friendly version containing only the sections you need.

Generate report

Pictures

Top of page
PictureTitleCaptionCopyright

Identity

Top of page

Preferred Scientific Name

  • Lagarosiphon major (Ridley) Moss, 1928

Preferred Common Name

  • African elodea

Other Scientific Names

  • Elodea crispa
  • Lagarosiphon muscoides Harvey, 1841
  • Lagarosiphon muscoides var. major Ridley, 1886

International Common Names

  • English: African curly leaved waterweed; African oxygen-weed; African waterweed; coarse oxygen weed; curly water thyme; curly waterweed; fine oxygen weed; Lagarosiphon; oxygen weed; oxygen-weed; South African oxygen weed; submerged onocotyledon
  • French: elodée africaine; grand lagarosiphon

Local Common Names

  • Germany: Große Wasserpest; Wassergirlande; Wechselbatt-Wasserpest
  • South Africa: babergras; bobbejaantou; fynbabergras; growwe babergras; waterblommetjie

Summary of Invasiveness

Top of page

L. major is an aquatic, submerged plant that can grow in dense mats up to 2-3 m thick and cause many negative environmental and economic impacts. Some of these impacts include displacing native plant species, decreasing water quality, reducing biodiversity, blocking hydroelectric intakes, impeding recreational activities, and diminishing aesthetic value. L. major is very difficult to control, and its ability to form new plants vegetatively facilitates its spread to new locations. The trade and potential escape of L. major through the aquarium and water garden industry plays a large role in its spread to new locations (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003), as does the transportation of this plant on recreational equipment moving between water bodies (Cronk and Fuller, 1995). L. major is declared a noxious weed in New Zealand (Winterton and Scher, 2007), the United States (USDA-NRCS, 2006), and is on the Alert List for Environmental Weeds in Australia (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003). L. major is already well established in New Zealand and parts of Europe. Other species of the family Hydrocharitaceae also have the potential to become invasive, and Elodea canadensis, Egeria densa, and Hydrilla verticillata, have been recorded as problematic outside of their native range.

Taxonomic Tree

Top of page
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  •     Kingdom: Plantae
  •         Phylum: Spermatophyta
  •             Subphylum: Angiospermae
  •                 Class: Monocotyledonae
  •                     Order: Hydrocharitales
  •                         Family: Hydrocharitaceae
  •                             Genus: Lagarosiphon
  •                                 Species: Lagarosiphon major

Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature

Top of page

The genus Lagarosiphon (family Hydrocharitaceae) is generally accepted as containing approximately 15-18 species, which occur primarily in Africa, Madagascar, and India (UFL-CAIP, 2001; IPNI-GBIF, 2007). The genus name comes from the Greek lagaros meaning ‘narrow, thin’ and siphon meaning ‘tube’, probably referring to the long thin tubes that allow the female flowers to reach the water’s surface (UFL-CAIP, 2001). Lagarosiphon major was first named Lagarosiphon muscoides Harvey in 1841, was revised to L. muscoides var. major by Ridley in 1886, and further revised to its current accepted scientific name, L. major (Ridl.) Moss in 1928. L. major is synonymous with 'Elodea crispa', a name that is often used by those using the plant in aquaria (Mason, 1960). The English common name ‘oxygen weed’ refers to the species ability to “oxygenate” the water, however, the dense mats of vegetation that are characteristic of this species when introduced outside of its native range actually decrease the oxygen levels by limiting water circulation and increasing decomposition.

Description

Top of page

L. major is a dioecious, perennial submerged aquatic plant with adventitious roots and rhizomes that attach the plant to the substrate. The brittle, sparsely branched stem can grow up to 20 feet long, is 3-5 mm in diameter and curves like a ‘J’ towards the base. The dark green leaves are alternately spiralled around the stem, though often crowded towards the stem tip. The leaves are minutely toothed, 5-20 mm long, 2-3 mm wide and generally have tapered tips that curve down towards the stem, though in low alkalinity waters the leaves can appear straight (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003). The female flower is very small, with three transparently white/pink petals that are attached to a filament-like stalk above the water’s surface. Only the female plant is known outside of its native range. The fruit is a beaked capsule, containing approximately nine seeds, each seed being approximately 1/8 inch long (UFL-CAIP, 2001).  

Plant Type

Top of page Aquatic
Herbaceous
Perennial
Seed propagated
Vegetatively propagated

Distribution

Top of page
L. major is native to Southern and South Tropical Africa, and has been found in the regions of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa (USDA-GRIN, 1997). In these regions, L. major is naturally found in high mountain freshwater streams and ponds (Cronk and Fuller, 1995). However, there is some disagreement on the status of L. major in Southern Africa; some report it as a nuisance weed species (CAPM-CEH, 2004; Caffrey and Acevedo, 2007), while there are other reports of L. major as a restricted species in those regions (Cronk and Fuller, 1995).

 L. major has been introduced to several other parts of the world, though only the female plant is known outside of its native range. Thus, all reproduction of L. major in its adventive range is done vegetatively, while seed production and male flowers are restricted to its native range of Africa. L. major was introduced to New Zealand in the 1950s, and has naturalized in many freshwater lakes in the country. L. major was first recorded in Britain in 1944, and was first reported in Germany and Ireland in 1966. In southern Australia, L. major has been found and eradicated from a few small dams, and it is currently not known to be naturalized (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003).  

 

Distribution Table

Top of page

The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

Continent/Country/RegionDistributionLast ReportedOriginFirst ReportedInvasiveReferenceNotes

Africa

BotswanaPresentNativeISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014
LesothoPresentNativeISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014
MauritiusAbsent, unreliable recordPIER, 2007; EPPO, 2014
RéunionPresentEPPO, 2014
Rodriguez IslandPresentIntroduced Invasive PIER, 2007Population located on the Mascarene Islands
South AfricaPresentNativeISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014
ZambiaPresentNativeISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014
ZimbabwePresentNativeISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014

Europe

AustriaAbsent, no pest recordScher, 2007; EPPO, 2014
BelgiumPresentEPPO, 2014
FranceWidespreadIntroduced Invasive ISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014
GermanyPresentIntroduced1966NOBANIS, 2005; EPPO, 2014
IrelandPresentIntroduced1966BioChange, 2007; EPPO, 2014
ItalyPresentIntroducedISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014
NetherlandsPresentIntroducedThompson et al., 1995; EPPO, 2014
PortugalPresentIntroducedScher, 2007
SpainPresentIntroducedScher, 2007
SwitzerlandPresentIntroducedISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014
UKPresentIntroduced1944CAPM-CEH, 2004; EPPO, 2014
-Channel IslandsPresentIntroducedAustralia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003

Oceania

AustraliaPresent only in captivity/cultivationIntroduced Invasive Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003; EPPO, 2014
-New South WalesEradicatedIntroducedAustralia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003Small population near Newcastle eradicated in the late 1970s
-QueenslandPresent only in captivity/cultivationIntroduced1990Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003Cultivated population
-VictoriaEradicatedIntroducedAustralia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003Small population near Melbourne eradicated in the late 1970s
New ZealandPresentIntroduced1950 Invasive ISSG, 2006; EPPO, 2014

History of Introduction and Spread

Top of page

L. major was first reported as being naturalized in New Zealand in 1950, and by 1957 the population had grown to nuisance levels in Lake Rotorua. It is believed that L. major was intentionally introduced to Lake Rotorua with the intention of improving the oxygen levels (Cronk and Fuller, 1995), although the dense mats of vegetation that occurred actually decreased the lake oxygen levels. L. major spread to Lake Taupo around 1966, and was probably introduced to the lake by recreational boat traffic (Cronk and Fuller, 1995). L. major continues to spread to many other freshwater lakes in New Zealand, and is a major concern in the region. 

L. major was first recorded in a chalk pit in Britain in 1944, and has since spread to several other locations throughout Europe. L. major was first recorded both in Germany and Ireland in 1966, and its introductions were intentional horticultural and ornamental releases (NOBANIS, 2005; BioChange, 2007). In Ireland, the occurrence of L. major between 1987-1999 was recorded as being present in 7 hectads (1 hectad = 10km X 10km)(BioChange, 2007), though many additional L. major occurrences have been reported during the last five years (NBGI, 2007).


There are currently no naturalized populations of L. major in Australia, but there have been small invasions near Melbourne in Victoria, and Newcastle in New South Wales that were eradicated in the 1970s. These introductions were believed to have been plants that had originated in aquariums or ponds. In addition, there is a record of a cultivated specimen near Queensland in 1990 (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003).      

Introductions

Top of page
Introduced toIntroduced fromYearReasonIntroduced byEstablished in wild throughReferencesNotes
Natural reproductionContinuous restocking
Germany Africa 1966 Horticulture (pathway cause)NOBANIS (2005)
Ireland Southern Africa 1966 Ornamental purposes (pathway cause) Yes BioChange (2007)
New Zealand Africa 1950 Ornamental purposes (pathway cause) Yes NZPCN (2005)
UK Africa 1944 Yes CAPM-CEH (2004)

Risk of Introduction

Top of page

L. major is a popular aquarium and water garden plant, and the ability to order this plant over the internet and through mail order gives it the ability to travel to all parts of the world (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003). It has escaped confinement and has been intentionally introduced on several occasions outside of its native range. In the locales to which it has been introduced, it has often become the dominant plant species, outcompeting both native and previously established exotic species, in addition to displacing other species which depend on the ecosystem. L. major has the potential to colonize large areas within a growing season by means of vegetative propagation, and is listed as a noxious weed in many parts of the world.

Habitat

Top of page

L. major prefers lakes, reservoirs, and slow moving rivers with silty or sandy bottoms. L. major is also known to occur in wetlands, water courses, riparian zones (ISSG, 2006), canals and drainage ditches (CAPM-CEH, 2004). It prefers the cool waters of the temperate zone, and grows best under high light intensity. L. major can grow to depths of 6.6 m (Coffey and Wah, 1988), but may grow to only 1 m in murky water (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003). L. major grows best in areas sheltered from wind, waves, and current.

Habitat List

Top of page
CategoryHabitatPresenceStatus
Freshwater
Freshwater Secondary/tolerated habitat Harmful (pest or invasive)
Lakes Principal habitat Harmful (pest or invasive)
Ponds Principal habitat Harmful (pest or invasive)
Reservoirs Secondary/tolerated habitat Harmful (pest or invasive)
Rivers / streams Principal habitat Harmful (pest or invasive)
Terrestrial-natural/semi-natural
Wetlands Present, no further details Harmful (pest or invasive)

Biology and Ecology

Top of page
Genetics

L. major has a chromosome number of 2n=22 (Uchiyama, 1989) or 2n=24 (Kiehn et al., 2000). L. major has two complete sets of chromosomes in each cell, and its nuclear DNA expressed on a diploid basis is equal to 3.6, 6.5 pg/2C (BioChange, 2007).

Reproductive Biology

L. major is a dioecious plant, which refers to a species in which the male and female reproductive organs occur on different individuals. L. major has the ability to reproduce by both vegetative and sexual means, though only vegetative reproduction has been observed outside of its native range.

Physiology and Phenology

In the Northern hemisphere, L. major becomes dormant in the winter and emerges in the spring from rhizomes and shoots. L. major is capable of producing two types of flowers; the male flowers break free from the plant and float along the water’s surface, while the female flowers remain attached to the plant by long, filament-like stalks. All populations of L. major outside of its native range have consisted of plants with only female flowers, and male flowers, fruits, and seeds have not been recorded outside of Africa. Female flowers appear from summer to early autumn, and the overall growth of L. major decreases as day length and light intensity decreases (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003).

Environmental Requirements

L. major can live in a range of nutrient levels, however, in lakes with accelerated eutrophication and severely decreased water clarity, L. major abundance declines. L. major prefers high light intensity, and its best growth is recorded at 600 micro-einsteins/m2/h (Schwarz and Howard-Williams, 1993). L. major is able to withstand a relatively high pH, and its own photosynthetic activity has been recorded as raising pH levels to 10-10.4 in the surrounding water (CAPM-CEH, 2004). In conjunction with pH, L. major can survive in high alkalinity conditions as well. The optimum temperature of L. major is 20-23°C, with a maximum temperature of approximately 25°C. L. major is thought to be absent below temperatures of 10°C (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003).

Climate

Top of page
ClimateStatusDescriptionRemark
B - Dry (arid and semi-arid) Tolerated < 860mm precipitation annually
BS - Steppe climate Tolerated > 430mm and < 860mm annual precipitation
C - Temperate/Mesothermal climate Preferred Average temp. of coldest month > 0°C and < 18°C, mean warmest month > 10°C
Cf - Warm temperate climate, wet all year Tolerated Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, wet all year
Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summer Tolerated Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summers
Cw - Warm temperate climate with dry winter Preferred Warm temperate climate with dry winter (Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry winters)

Soil Tolerances

Top of page

Soil reaction

  • alkaline
  • neutral
  • very alkaline

Natural enemies

Top of page
Natural enemyTypeLife stagesSpecificityReferencesBiological control inBiological control on
Aphelenchoides fragariae
Nymphula nitens not specific

Notes on Natural Enemies

Top of page

McGregor and Gourlay (2002) report the nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae attacking the apical tips of L. major. Nymphula nitens has also been reported as feeding on several aquatic weeds, though it is not specific to L. major.

Means of Movement and Dispersal

Top of page

Natural Dispersal (Non-Biotic)


Hydrochory, the dispersal of disseminules by water currents, seems to be the main dispersal mode of vegetative fragments within a water body (ISSG, 2006).

 

 

Vector Transmission (Biotic)

 

There is no evidence that this plant might be carried between sites by birds because it is a relatively large plant (CAPM-CEH, 2004).

 

Accidental Introduction

 

L. major can be spread accidentally to new locations by the movement of boats, trailers, nets, sea planes, and other recreational equipment between water bodies (McGregor and Gourlay, 2002; Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003). It is also possible for L. major to be a ‘hitchhiker’ plant with other species ordered through water garden catalogues. L. major can alsobe accidentally introduced by flooding of ornamental ponds into surrounding natural waterways. L. major has also been introduced through hobbyists emptying unwanted aquarium species directly into surrounding waterways.

 

Intentional Introduction

 

L. major has been intentionally planted as an ‘oxygenator’ or ornamental in different water bodies throughout its current distribution. The trade of this plant as an ornamental through the internet and mail order has greatly increased its availability and ease of spread into new environments (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003). 

Pathway Vectors

Top of page
VectorNotesLong DistanceLocalReferences
Aircraftseaplanes, float planes Yes McGregor and Gourlay, 2002
Floating vegetation and debris Yes Cronk and Fuller, 1995
Land vehiclesVegetation moving between water bodies on vehicles, moving boats, trailers, recreational equipment Yes Yes Cronk and Fuller, 1995
MailMail order Yes Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003
Pets and aquarium species Yes Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003
Ship structures above the water lineVegetation moving between water bodies on boats, trailers, recreational equipment, etc. Yes Cronk and Fuller, 1995
Water Yes Cronk and Fuller, 1995

Impact Summary

Top of page
CategoryImpact
Cultural/amenity Negative
Economic/livelihood Negative
Environment (generally) Negative

Economic Impact

Top of page

L. major has blocked intakes of hydroelectric systems and has the potential to limit flow in irrigations channels. In addition, the loss of recreational and aesthetic value associated with L. major can also cause a decline in lakefront property values, as well as possible declines in tourism-related revenue for the community.

Environmental Impact

Top of page
Impact on Habitats
 
L. major alters the chemical composition of the water body by creating stressful conditions of high pH and low carbon dioxide (James et al., 1999). The photosynthesis of L. major has been recorded as raising surrounding pH to levels over 10, and has the ability to raise levels to 10.4, (the limit of bicarbonate uptake) in small water bodies (CAPM-CEH, 2004). These high pH levels inhibit other native species from effectively photosynthesizing, giving L. major a competitive advantage.

L. major can also be an excellent competitor for light, and has been known to out-compete native aquatic vegetation and associated invertebrate populations (ISSG, 2006). Despite this species’ common name of 'oxygen weed', the dense mats of vegetation that are characteristic of this species when introduced outside of its native range actually decrease the oxygen levels by limiting water circulation and increased decomposition of dead plants. Dense mats of L. major also have the ability to change water hydrology and quality, negatively affecting the ecosystem in which it occurs.  

Impact on Biodiversity

L. major reduces biodiversity by competing with and displacing native vegetation, and is capable of changing the fauna and flora of an ecosystem. L. major has out-competed native species wherever it has colonized, due in part to its ability to out-compete submerged vegetation for light and photosynthesize in the inhospitable, stress-inducing water conditions that it creates. In particular, L. major has out competed Myriophyllum spp., Potamogeton spp., (Rattray et al., 1994), and Elodea spp. (James et al., 1999). Decomposing mats of L. major also have the ability to cause fish kills by creating low oxygen levels in the water.

Social Impact

Top of page

L. major can form dense mats that impede recreational activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, canoeing, and kayaking. In addition, unsightly mats of vegetation decrease aesthetic values. These declines in recreational and aesthetic values can decrease tourism, which can be a major source of income within the community.  

Risk and Impact Factors

Top of page Invasiveness
  • Proved invasive outside its native range
  • Highly mobile locally
  • Fast growing
  • Has high reproductive potential
  • Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
  • Reproduces asexually
Impact outcomes
  • Damaged ecosystem services
  • Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
  • Modification of hydrology
  • Modification of natural benthic communities
  • Modification of nutrient regime
  • Monoculture formation
  • Negatively impacts cultural/traditional practices
  • Negatively impacts livelihoods
  • Negatively impacts aquaculture/fisheries
  • Negatively impacts tourism
  • Reduced amenity values
  • Reduced native biodiversity
  • Threat to/ loss of native species
  • Transportation disruption
Impact mechanisms
  • Allelopathic
  • Competition - monopolizing resources
  • Competition - shading
  • Filtration
  • Interaction with other invasive species
  • Rapid growth
Likelihood of entry/control
  • Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
  • Difficult to identify/detect as a commodity contaminant
  • Difficult to identify/detect in the field
  • Difficult/costly to control

Uses

Top of page

Economic Value

Ornamental plants of L. major, often sold under the name 'Elodea crispa', are sold for aquariums and ponds, though the specific economic value of this particular species in the ornamental plant trade is unknown. L. major was also once sold as capable of 'water purification', though the continuance of this practice is unknown (NBGI, 2007).

The utilization of L. major as fodder for stock food was explored as a possible usage of harvested biomass, though the high levels of arsenic accumulated by the plants proved unsuitable (ISSG, 2006).

Social Benefit

L. major is enjoyed by many aquarium hobbyists due to the minimal maintenance required and ease of growth.

Environmental Services

In severely disturbed ecosystems where exotics are the only plants capable of surviving, removal of plants such as L. major can further degrade the habitat. L. major can provide some habitat for aquatic fauna, its leaf surface supports periphyton, and plant stands can increase sedimentation, which could be beneficial in some areas (McGregor and Gourlay, 2002).  

Uses List

Top of page

Animal feed, fodder, forage

  • Fodder/animal feed

General

  • Botanical garden/zoo
  • Pet/aquarium trade

Detection and Inspection

Top of page
Infestations are often first reported at boat launches, and these areas should be monitored frequently in order to eradicate or control new invasions at an early stage (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003). All recreational equipment should be inspected before leaving any water body, and any visible plants, animals, or sediment should be removed. In addition, rinsing gear with hot water or steam may help in removing non-visible organisms.

Similarities to Other Species/Conditions

Top of page

Several other species in the family Hydrocharitaceae look very similar to L. major, including Egeria densa, Elodea canadensis, and Hydrilla verticillata. However, unlike the leaves of the other species, which grow in groups or whorls circularly around the stem, the leaves of L. major are distinguishably alternately spiralled (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003). The presence of recurved leaves and a downward curving stem towards the apex also help to distinguish L. major from these similar species (Scher, 2007). L. major is often also mislabelled as 'Elodea crispa', usually by those dealing with the plant in the aquarium trade.

Prevention and Control

Top of page
Prevention
 
As with all weed management, prevention is better and more cost-effective than control.
 

Rapid response

Early detection and eradication are essential in the prevention of future invasions and spread of L. major. Smaller, localized populations can be more easily controlled than those which have the opportunity to spread and become well-established (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003).

Public awareness

Several publications have been produced in areas with L. major populations regarding the impacts of invasive species such as L. major, and the steps that lake recreationists need to take in order to prevent introducing and spreading aquatic invasives.  

 
Eradication
In southern Australia, L. major has been found and eradicated from a few small dams (Natural Heritage Trust, 2003).

Control 

Cultural control and sanitary measures

Several regions where aquatic invasives have established now require that recreationists drain all water and clean off all gear (boats, trailers, fishing equipment, etc.) used on water bodies in order to minimize the chance of spreading aquatic invasive species, such as L. major, to other areas.

Physical/mechanical control

Attempts to control L. major has had limited efficacy due to its ability to propagate vegetatively through fragments and underwater roots and rhizomes. Attempts to mechanically harvest only serve as means of creating and introducing more plant fragments, and potentially aiding in dispersal to new locations. There has been some success with mechanical harvesting that is conducted at or near root level (Caffrey and Acevedo, 2007). Suction dredging has also been used, but it is nearly impossible to remove all vegetation and regeneration is highly likely (Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003).

Weed mats have been used in small localized areas (ENVBOP, 2003; Caffrey and Acevedo, 2007), but are difficult to maintain. It may also be possible to alter water depth and flow speeds in channels, thereby rendering them uninhabitable, though there are limited practical situations where these control methods can be applied (CAPM-CEH, 2004).

Movement control 

Several countries have banned the importation or sale of exotic plants, such as L. major, in attempts to minimize the chance of introduction to non-native regions. 

Biological control 

McGregor and Gourlay (2002) report that the nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae has been recorded attacking the apical tips of L. major, resulting in shoot dwarfing. In addition, Nymphula nitens also feeds on many aquatic weeds and might be a potential biocontrol agent, but it will also consume native vegetation. Neither species has yet been studied for its potential as a biological control agent.  

Grass carp have been suggested as a potential biological control method, though studies have shown that L. major is not one of their preferred food sources, and their introduction would negatively impact the remaining native submerged vegetation (CAPM-CEH, 2004).
 
Chemical control

L. major has been found to be susceptible to herbicides containing terbutryn or dichlobenil. The preferred method of control is an early spring (March or early April in the Northern hemisphere) application of dichlobenil. Terbutryn (Clarosan) should only be used when L. major is the overwhelmingly dominant species, because this herbicide will kill most species of submerged aquatic plants, and has the ability to cause fish kills due to a sudden decline in photosynthesis (CAPM-CEH, 2004). Diquat has also been moderately successful against L. major, though its effectiveness differs greatly among scenarios, and it is not effective in turbid waters (UFL-CAIP, 2001). 

References

Top of page

Australia Natural Heritage Trust, 2003. Lagarosiphon - Lagarosiphon major. Weed Management Guide. Australia: Natural Heritage Trust. http://www.weeds.gov.au/publications/guidelines/alert/pubs/l-major.pdf

BioChange, 2007. Database of Alien Plants in Ireland. Dublin, Ireland: Trinity College. http://www.biochange.ie/alienplants/index.php

Caffrey J; Acevedo S, 2007. Lagarosiphon major - An aggressive invasive species in Lough Corrib. Ireland: Central Fisheries Board.

CAPM-CEH, 2004. Aquatic plant management: Information sheets. Center for Ecology & Hydrology. http://www.capm.org.uk

Coffey BT; Wah CK, 1988. Pressure inhibition of anchorage-root production in Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss: a possible determinant of its depth range. Aquatic Botany, 29:289-301.

Cronk QCB; Fuller JL, 1995. Plant invaders: the threat to natural ecosystems. London, UK; Chapman & Hall Ltd, xiv + 241 pp.

ENVBOP, 2003. Pest plant fact sheets. Whakatane, New Zealand: Environment Bay of Plenty. http://www.envbop.govt.nz

EPPO, 2014. PQR database. Paris, France: European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. http://www.eppo.int/DATABASES/pqr/pqr.htm

GBIF, 2007. International Plant Names Index. Copenhagen, Denmark: Global Biodiversity Information Facility. http://data.gbif.org

ISSG, 2006. Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). Auckland, New Zealand: University of Auckland. http://www.issg.org/database

James CS; Eaton JW; Hardwick K, 1999. Competition between three submerged macrophytes, Elodea canadensis Michx, Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) St John and Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss. In: Hydrobiologia [ed. by Caffrey JM, Barrett PRF, Ferreira MT, Moreira IS, Murphy KJ, Wade PM], 35-40.

Kiehn M; Vitek E; Dobe? C; , 2000. In: Documented Chromosome Number Checklist of Austrian Vascular Plants [ed. by Dobe? C, Vitek E] Vienna, Austria: Verlag des Naturhistorischen Museums.

MASON R, 1960. Three waterweeds of the family Hydrocharitaceae in New Zealand. N. Z. J. Sci, 3(3):382-95.

McGregor PG; Gourlay H, 2002. Assessing the prospects for biological control of lagarosiphon (Lagarosiphon major (Hydrocharitaceae)). DOC Science Internal Series 57.

NBGI, 2007. Ireland's National Plant Conservation Strategy. Dublin, Ireland: National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. http://www.botanicgardens.ie/home.htm

NOBANIS, 2005. North European and Baltic Network on Invasive Alien Species. http://www.nobanis.org

NZPCN, 2005. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. http://www.nzpcn.org

PIER, 2007. Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk. USA: Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. http://www.hear.org/pier/index.html

Rattray MR; Howard-Williams C; Brown JM, 1994. Rates of early growth of propagules of Lagarosiphon major and Myriophyllum triphyllum in lakes of differing trophic status. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 28(3):235-241.

Scher J, 2007. Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. http://www.lucidcentral.org/keys/FNW/FNW%20Disseminules%20Key/html/index.htm

Schwarz AM; Howard-Williams C, 1993. Aquatic weed-bed structure and photosynthesis in two New Zealand lakes. Aquatic Botany, 46(3-4):263-281.

Thompson K; Hodgson JG; Rich TCG, 1995. Native and alien invasive plants: more of the same? Ecography, 18(4):390-402.

Uchiyama H, 1989. Karyomorphological studies on some taxa of the Helobiae. Journal of Science of Hiroshima University, Series B, Division 2 (Botany), 22:271-352.

UFL-CAIP, 2001. Non-native invasive aquatic plants in the United States. Gainesville, USA: University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu

USDA-ARS, 1997. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch.aspx

USDA-NRCS, 2006. The PLANTS Database Version 3.5. Baton Rouge, USA: National Plant Data Center. http://plants.usda.gov

Winterton S; Scher J, 2007. Aquarium and Pond Plants of the World, Edition 2.0, Lucid v. 3.4. USA: USDA/APHIS/PPQ Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, North Carolina State University, and California Department of Food and Agriculture. http://www.lucidcentral.org/keys/aquariumplants2/

Links to Websites

Top of page
WebsiteURLComment
Centre for Aquatic Plant Management: Center for Ecology & Hydrologyhttp://www.capm.org.uk
Global Invasive Species Databasehttp://www.issg.org/database/speciesThe GISD aims to increase awareness about invasive alien species and to facilitate effective prevention and management. It is managed by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the Species Surviva
Weed Management Guide - Lagarosiphon majorhttp://www.weeds.gov.au/publications/guidelines/alert/pubs/l-major.pdf

Contributors

Top of page

08/04/08 Original text by:

Alison Mikulyuk, Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources, Science Operations Center, 2801 Progress Rd, Madison, WI 53716, USA

Michelle Nault, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2801 Progress Rd, Madison, WI 53716-3339, USA

Distribution Maps

Top of page
You can pan and zoom the map
Save map
Download KML file
Download CSV file
Top of page