Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Identifying plants New plant - what is it ?

New plant that is spreading. Grows in clumps in shallow water (less than 2 feet). Light copper treatment did not seem to work. What do you think ?

In water as growing




Pulled up and just under the water



On bucket top

I'll bet you a dinner at the conference that Hydrothol 191 will take care of it for you!

So what do you think it is ?

Looks like slender spikerush.

I'm not familiar enough (hands on) with the following to make a positive I.D., but I think it could be one of them:

Niad (Southern?)
Widgeon Grass
One of the Narrow Leaf Pondweeds.

Where's Kelly when you need him?

Once it gets identified, I'd like to know what was spedifically looked at from the photos to differentiate from the 3 that I have listed to make a positive I.D. (If it was one of the 3 that I listed)

Received your IM Eric, and tend to agree with Wade on his slender spikerush call (Eleocharis baldwinii).
Your photos were well focused. However, for smaller plants, it is easier to distinguish minute details if a SINGLE specimen is splayed and photographed against a contrasting background.

Thanks Kelly. I will get a better pic. That stuff is hard to seperate. That was one plant and I tried to spread out the stalks.

Kelly/Wade:

I'm trying to learn as much as I can here. What characteristics of the plant leads you to the spike rush i.d.?

spike rush TAMU

None of this plant is out of the water like a rush. Most don't even get to the surface yet. I will get better pics but I have doubts it is a rush.

Eric do you feel the vegetation is invasive and unwanted? Just wondering if you think it's beneficial or if you're worried about it. If you're worried, will you treat it?

Slender spikerush, unlike other rushes, grows completely submerged - and sometimes suspended and/or accumulating at or near the surface.
The tell-tale characteristic that was noted in one of Eric's photos is isolated here....


Slender spikerush can pose a serious issue toward fishing endevours (see below), but probably doesn't create any problems for the fish.


BTW - you probably owe Eric a dinner at the conference, since I seriously doubt if H191 will touch it.

Thanks Kelly, and I mean it! I was looking at the brownish mass at the center of the leaf cluster too. I'll be happy to pay for a dinner!

Thanks Kelly. I will still get a better pic for all.

TJ the stuff just showed up and seems to be spreading rather quikly. I will probably pull a bunch up and treat any left.

Good luck Eric. Please let us know when you make a positive ID.

Great reference pics Kelly. H191 won't bother it. One of the common ones we have to deal with. Diquat+copper followed by grass carp.

More pics.

Still looks like Slender Spikerush (Eleocharis baldwinii) to me.

Thanks Kelly !