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Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)

American Elodea (Elodea canadensis)

Brazilian Elodea (Egeria densa)

Hydrilla - Common Name: Florida Elodea

Description: Stem long and branched with oppositely arranged leaves at the bottom and whorls of 3 leaves on the upper portions of the plant. Leaf oval shaped with margins toothed. Pointed spines on midrib underside of leaf. Plant fragments are capable of reproduction.

American Elodea - Common Name: American Elodea

Description: Submerged weed with broad oval leaves, usually four in number, arranged in whorls around stem. Whorls are compact near the growth tip, with spacing between the whorls gradually increasing further down the stem.

Brazillian Elodea - Common Name: Brazilian Elodea

Description: Plants very similar to Hydrilla but leaves are not toothed. A visual inspection and handling of the leaves will quickly distinguish it from Hydrilla.

Note: Drawing is used with permission from the Center for Aquatic Plants, University of Florida. Drawing cannot be copied without permission from the Center. Descriptions are from the book "How to Identify and Control Water Weeds and Algae", Edited by James C. Schmidt, 5th edition revised 1998, copyright 1976 Applied Biochemists.