How Tall Are Coontail Plants?

Description

• The perennial plant is entirely submerged and rootless with weak, elongated stems that have a potential length of up to 15 or more feet. Stems do not retain longer length but break into short sections. The whorled foliage is dark green in color with serrated edges and collects near the stem tips, giving the leaves a coontail look. The plant is either anchored loosely to the bottom, or floats freely. The unisex flower are tiny in size and grow within the axil of each leaf. The flowers are followed by 1/5-inch, black seeds.

Propagation

• Coontail propagates vegetatively as smaller section of stems and tips break and start growing into new plants. Propagation also occurs through the pollination of stamens within the water. The stamens then detach from the plant, rise to the top and release the pollen by bursting. The released pollen sinks onto the female flowers, leading to fertilization and production of seed. The mature seeds then fall to the bottom of the water and germinates into new plants.

Advantages

• The plant is among the most important submersed aquatic plant species as it provides shelter and habitat within the water for macro and micro invertebrates that are critical in supporting the fisheries. The decomposition of the plants by fungi and bacteria into material called detritus is also food for invertebrates in the water and for diving ducks.

Control

• It is very hard to control excessive growth of coontail with raking, cutting or harvesting as the plant readily reproduces from stem fragments. Effective biological control options include the introduction of grass carp into the water. You need to acquire a state permit before purchasing grass carp from an approved hatchery. Chemical control options include the use of herbicides containing endothall, copper, diquat or 2, 4-D.