Brazilian Elodea

Egeria densa

Alternate names
Egeria, Brazilian waterweed

Weed Description
Submersed aquatic weed that can be found throughout the southeastern United States in ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers.

Leaves
May occur in whorls of 3 to 6 but are most commonly found in whorls of 4. Individual leaves are linear to oblong in outline, approximately 1 to 1 1/4 inches long and 5 mm wide. Leaves have leaf margins that are finely toothed, but these are hardly noticeable without a magnifying glass. The undersides of the leaf midribs are smooth and without teeth unlike those of hydrilla.

Stems
May reach 6 feet in length and are freely branching. Roots can be formed in the areas where the branching occurs. Stems can be either rooted below or free-floating.

Flowers
Consist of 3 white petals and 3 green sepals. Individual flowers are relatively large and showy, with petals that are approximately 1/3 inch long. Flowers usually appear just at the water surface due to long (1 to 4 inches) flower stalks (pedicels) that arise from the areas between the leaves and the stems (leaf axils).

Identifying Characteristics
Submersed aquatic weed with leaves arranged in whorls of 3 to 6 and showy flowers with 3 white petals. Brazilian elodea may be easily mistaken for Hydrilla. However, hydrilla has leaves with teeth on the undersides of the leaf midribs and also has much smaller flowers. Hydrilla also produces tubers unlike Brazilian elodea.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

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University of Missouri

Brazilian Elodea

Egeria densa

Trouble identifying a weed?