Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Identifying plants Is this Southern Naiad?

I need some help identifying this vegetation. It grows in shallow areas and seems to be rooted to the bottom.

Once identified, I'm wondering if it will return after the drought. Right now it is consuming the entire shallow end of my pond. If the dry conditions continue, it will most certainly dry out as the water level drops.

Looks more like Sago to me. Do the seeds extend above the surface?

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/alphabetical-index/sago-pondweed/

I don't believe the seeds extend above the surface. Some are at or near the surface. The sago looks to have more seeds than this plant. I only see 2 seeds on any given branch.

I believe you got ti right but either sago or southern I rec. diquat to kill it easily if drought does not do that for you.

thanks Greg. It is very likely that the drought will get it. I'm hoping the drought doesn't get the whole pond but only time will tell.

Either way (sago or southern) I think the grass carp should be destroying it but with the heat and shallow water, I'm sure the water temp is just too high for them to work their magic.

I noticed some spots or holes in the vegetation but haven't seen anything feeding on it during the day. Tonight I decided to check during the cooler hours to see if I could catch the grass carp in action. Didn't see any grass carp but these crayfish are every where.



Hard to tell if they are just enjoying the night are doing something else.

not sure what that means but super cool photo capturing the craws like that.

Cheezy - your photos may contain more than one specie of "pondweed".
1) southern naiad / Najas guadalupensis (aka "bushy pondweed" in TX, or "southern waternymph" in other areas)
2) "small pondweed"/"slender pondweed" / both fall under Potamogeton pusillus
3) or #2's close look-alike, "leafy pondweed" / Potamogeton foliosus.
I see opposing leaves in one of the photos (= #1) and alternating leaves in the other photos (= #2 or #3).
As for distinguishing between #2 and #3, look over THIS LINK
All of this detail is probably splitting hairs from a management-standpoint, except for one key difference.
P. pusillus and P. foliosus are both perennials, while N. guadalupensus is an annual. Dealing with an annual may involve different tactics in comparison to the perennial counterparts.

thanks Kelly, I appreciate the detail. After closer examination, it does look like I've got more than one specie. I'm glad that managing them will be similar. Another week or two of dry weather and I will be able to get my tractor down in there and remove them. I may get a dozer in to deepen it up a bit.