The stems of native waterweed are anchored to the bottom by shallow roots and grow up to three feet long. The plant often branches profusely and forming dense, tangled stands. The leaves are attached directly to the stem in whorls, with exactly three leaves per whorl.
Native waterweed looks similar to the invasive Hydrilla and Brazilian Elodea. Native waterweed can be differentiated based on the number of leaves in a whorl - native waterweed has 3 or 4 leaves/whorl (usually 3), while Hydrilla and Brazilian Elodea have 4 or more.
Waterweed identified in Dolloff Cove - Maria Gross, Don Yurewicz & Theresa Einhorn
Waterweed collected in South Cove with 3-4 leaves/whorl. Photo by Maria Gross