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Hydrilla is a freshwater plant.  This plant grows to the surface of the water from a depth as great as 20 feet.  This very familiar water flora can be found in all sorts of water: rivers, lakes, fens, springs and the like.  This water flora can flourish in water that is very shallow or up to 20 feet deep.  This plant can grow in either oligotrophic (low nutrient) or eutrophic (high nutrient) water.  

This fresh water flora will only prosper in temperatures between 20 C and 27 C so it will not be found in harsher climates.  Upon extending to the surface, the Hydrillas full branches spread out to form a thick mat.  It might have stems as long as twenty five feet underwater in water!   The Hydrilla roots, also know as Rhizomes, are  ofttimes than not|by and large|mostly|in general] off-white or yellowish in color.  The Hydrilla has a number of alternatives when it comes time to reproduce. Fragmentation, from seeds, from tuber, and turions (auxiliary buds) are ways how this pest procreates.

When likened with other plants the Hydrilla has a number of advantages.   The Hydrilla only needs 1% sunshine to grow.  native floras in the same area as a Hydrilla get unhealthy amounts of nutrients because of the Hydrillas absorption rate.  Hydrillas grow quickly, vying with native floras, and are so believed a pestilent pest.  Hydrilla is especially dangerous because it can almost entirely take over a body of water before appearing on the surface. When it covers a big area, all the marine plants that fall under it die due to the lack of sunlight or nutrition. When Hydrilla encompasses a large area, all the other aquatic floras fail because the do not receive enough sunlight or nutrients.

Each year, millions are spent on weed killers and harvesting all in an campaign to check the growth and spread of Hydrilla.   Hydrilla harms the vegetation in the immediate area making it near impossible for fishermen to fish.   Slowed water flow and blocked up irrigation or flood control channels are as a result of Hydrilla over growth.  Bathing, yachting and fishing can not be properly done in areas when Hydrilla has taken hold.  Oxygen levels in waters full of Hydrilla can ofttimes drop severely.

Elodea and Egeria are frequently confused for Hydrilla. The marine plants Elodea and Egeria are oftentimes thought to be Hydrilla.   Hydrillas have one or more teeth on the undersurface of the midrib. But for Elodea and Egeria, this is not present.  Because of the teeth, Hydrilla will feel rough. Hydrilla will feel rough due to the presence of the teeth on the underside of the plant.   Also the Hydrilla has smaller flowers than the Egeria.

The Hydrilla turns into solid food for macro and micro invertebrates.   Species like ducks, fish, amphibians and reptiles will consume the decomposed remains of the micro and macro organisms that fed on the Hydrilla.   Bacteria and fungi break up Hydrillas that die naturally and then produce a food called detritus, which many aquatic creatures eat. Many ducks consume Hydrilla turions and tubers, but it is not considered a fine wildlife feed.