Submersed Aquatic Plants in Kerr Lake, Virginia

• The John H. Kerr Reservoir, commonly referred to as Kerr Lake, is located on the border of Virginia and North Carolina. Kerr Lake is over 50,000 acres in size and has 800 miles of shoreline, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The lake is home to a diverse range of aquatic vegetation.

Elodea

• Elodea (Egeria densa) is an invasive species from Brazil. Elodea is commonly sold as an aquarium plant, but it has established a large population in the wild. This is a free-floating plant that sometimes develops a root system in sandy substrates.

  Once established, elodea grows rapidly in dense thickets near the surface of the water. Individual plants can grow over six feet in length. Elodea has numerous leaves that grow in a whorled pattern around the main stem of the plant.

Bladderwort

• Bladderwort (Utricularia spp.) is a common submersed aquatic plant. It is free floating except when found along the edges of a lake, where it may take root. The plant has no distinct shape but usually has numerous branching stems that serve as leaves.

  Bladderwort is a carnivorous plant with small bladders located on the main stem that trap and feed on aquatic insects. Though it is often found underwater, bladderwort does produce small yellow, white or purple flowers in the spring.

Pondweed

• Pondweed (Potamogeton genus) is a diverse group of aquatic plants found throughout the United States. It varies greatly in appearance from species to species, but most have submersed leaves and establish thick root systems near the shores of lakes.

  Pondweeds have numerous ribbon-like leaves one to two inches in length that form dense thickets in shallow waters. These plants provide a valuable habitat for many aquatic organisms.