Aquacide Blog — Starry Stonewort

Chara (Starwort or skunkweed) is a light green form of algae.  It has around 6 spike-like branches whorled around each node. Chara is often confused for Coontail, a rooted weed. It has no flower, stays submerged and never rises above the water surface. Mid-season, as it matures, Chara will have a crunchy or gritty texture due to calcium carbonate deposits on the leaves. When crushed, Chara has a musty odor. Chara will keep bottom sediment from erosion. It is important fish habitat and food for small aquatic animals, ducks, trout, bluegills and bass. It grows rapidly and can easily take...

An invasive aquatic plant known as fanwort is an exotic beautiful plant that poses significant threats to inland lakes. Fanwort is native to South America, it is a popular aquarium plant and is thought to have been brought to the United States through the aquarium trade.  It’s identified by intricate fan shaped leaves and white-pink floating flowers.  It is a highly aggressive and invasive plant that can rapidly force out native aquatic plants and readily form monocultures in depths up to 3 feet.  It is unknown how it spreads. There is one active ingredient know to be effective called furidone.  The...