Aquatic Plant Quiz

Not easy is it? The correct answer was Nuphar variegata also known as Yellow Waterlilly. Did you know that West Hill Pond has two varieties of waterlilly, neither of which is considered invasive? There are at least five species of different waterlilly found in the State of Connecticut. Of those, the American Lotus (Nelumbo lutea) and Yellow Floatingheart Lilly (Nymphoides peltata) are considered invasive.

Not easy is it? The correct answer was Potamogeton amplifolius also known as Large Leaf Pondweed. Did you know that West Hill Pond has six or possibly seven different species of Pondweed and that there are more than twenty species found in the State of Connecticut? Of those, only the Curly Pondweed (Potamegeton crispus) is considered an invasive aquatic. Several years ago a survey found Potamogeton berchtoldii var. gemmiparus in West Hill Pond. Also known as Capillary Pondweed, this aquatic plant is an endangered species and it is one of the aquatic plants we hope to find once again.

This is one time you will be happy to be wrong! In the 2012 CAES survey, no evidence was found of invasive aquatic plant species. In the 2005 CAES survey the scientists identified Potamogeton crispus commonly known as Curly Pondweed which is an invasive aquatic plant. While the scientists looked hard this time, they did not identify that invasive aquatic plant. We will look carefully in the spring when it is at maximum growth to see if it can be identified. This is one invasive aquatic plant we certainly do not want in West Hill Pond!

Unfortunately, your choice does have invasives as do many lakes in the State of Connecticut! Winchester Lake and West Hill Pond are fortunate to be free of invasives. But this also means that we need to be vigilant when it comes to warning people who travel from lakes infested with invasives to be careful not to bring any hitch-hikers!

Actually, all those lakes (except Lake Winchester which was not on the list) have Eurasian-Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum). It is hard to believe, but nearly all the surrounding lakes have what is designated by CAES as the worst invasive aquatic plant found in the state. We need to be especially vigilant when inspecting boats coming from almost any other lake for that invasive weed.

The Curly Leaf Pondweed has not been found in Highland Lake, but is present in all the others mentioned. So the correct answer was more than one of the above.

If you answered Phosphorus you are partially correct. The input of phosphorus to a freshwater ecosystem is commonly blamed for the sudden growth of Blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, which are a group of photosynthetic bacteria. Typically algae is not grouped as a plant or plant macrophytes, but the growth can cause havoc with lake ecosystems and impact recreation and aesthetics. The correct answer is Nitrogen.

The correct answer was all but Winchester Lake. Remember, in question #4 that Winchester Lake did not have any invasive plants! Originally from Europe, Najas minor was introduced to the United States in 1934 and made its way to Connecticut in the mid-1980s. In a 2004 survey by CAES, Najas minor was found in 31% of the lakes and ponds surveyed but not West Hill Pond (nor Winchester Lake). With a very different habit from the Pondweeds, Najas minor grows densely on the lake bottom and sends up meter-long shoots that can shade out native species and become a problem for recreational activities.

You missed at least one – checking all of these was the correct answer! In the most recent independent surveys by CAES and our Limnologist Consultant, we found between fifteen and eighteen different aquatic plants in West Hill Pond.

Only the Typha species are found in West Hill Pond – the balance are found in Highland but not West Hill. Typha species (Cattails) are a native emergent aquatic plant, and are the food of many native species including beaver. They have been recently displaced in many ponds by Lythrum salicaria – the Purple Loosestrife which is an aggressive invasive. The existence of Cattails is an indication of a healthy water ecosystem. As an emergent, it would probably be unusual for a boat to have a Typha species stuck to the boat.

The selection we were looking for was Nelumbo lutea or the American lotus, which is considered an invasive species and a potential threat to Connecticut waters and ponds – though none have been recorded. Be sure to keep a sharp eye out for this potential troublemaker.

The correct choice was Nymphaea odorata, commonly known as the White Waterlily! The White Waterlily is cultivated in many water gardens with ponds as an ornamental. It is beautiful when in bloom and gives off the characteristic aroma which lead to its name.

We do hope you or someone in your family can participate in the training, and serve as a volunteer inspecting boats entering the lake. Keeping weeds from entering the lake is the best way to keep them out of the lake.