Florida Aquatic
Plant Directory
This simple field guide highlights common plants The Pond Crew encounters in Central Florida ponds and lakes. Use this resource to help identify which species should be removed for ecosystem health and which native plants are worth protecting.
Invasive Plants to Watch For
Floating Invasive Plants
- Water Hyacinth: Large lavender flowers + bulbous stems. High priority removal.
- Water Lettuce: Fuzzy, fan-like leaves. Spawns rapidly in still water.
- Giant Salvinia: Small overlapping leaves with egg-beater hairs. Highly aggressive.
- Feathered Mosquito Fern: Tiny, frond-like leaves. Can double in size in days.
Submerged Invasive Plants
- Hydrilla: Visible leaf serrations in whorls of 4-8. Requires full mechanical extraction.
- Hygrophila: Long, paired leaves with square stems. Clogs shallow areas.
- Ambulia: Feathery, lime-green whorled leaves. Quickly smothers native grass.
Emergent / Shoreline Plants
- Alligator Weed: Hollow stems + small white flower clover. Spreads through fragmentation.
- Water Spinach: Heart-shaped leaves + trailing vines. Rapid shore crawler.
- Torpedo Grass: Sharp, point-tipped leaves + massive rhizomes. Extremely difficult to eliminate.
- Water Knotweed: Swollen nodes + pink flower spikes. Displaces shoreline natives.
Legal Disclaimer: Plant status can change. Always verify current Florida regulations with the FWC or UF IFAS.
Native Plants Worth Protecting
Floating Native Plants
- Duckweed: Tiny oval leaves that float on surface. High protein source for aquatic life.
- Watermeal: Smallest flowering plant, rootless grains. Essential ecological component.
- Spatterdock: Large heart-shaped leaves with yellow cup-shaped flowers. Provides vital shade and habitat.
Submerged Native Plants
- Coontail: Bushy foliage resembling a raccoon's tail. Oxygenates water and shelters fry.
- Eelgrass: Long, ribbon-like green leaves. Stabilizes sediments and clarifies water.
Emergent / Shoreline Plants
- Pickerelweed: Purple flower spikes. Prevents shoreline erosion.
- Blue Flag Iris: Striking blue petals. Natural filtration powerhouse.
- Cattail: Brown seed heads. Excellent nesting cover.
- Duck Potato: arrowhead leaves. Edible tubers for wildlife.
- Maidencane: Rigid grass. Crucial for bank stability.
The Pond Crew prioritizes preserving beneficial natives while removing problem species. We work with nature to restore ecological balance to your Florida waters.
Not Sure What’s Growing in Your Pond?
Identifying invasive species early is key to protecting Florida’s waterways. If you suspect problem plants are taking over your pond or lake, send us a photo or request a professional on-site evaluation. We’ll help you determine the best eco-friendly path forward.