Water Chestnut
Description:
The Water Chestnut is an invasive plant that is native to Africa, Asia, and Europe. It arrived in the United States during the 19th Century, originally as a decorative plant. It grows in large "blankets" in freshwater and it can deplete the water's oxygen levels. The blankets also take up the space that other aquatic plants need to grow. Its seeds are sharp, and it is painful to step on them.
Notice that this image shows two dangers that this plant presents: the spines on its fruits can be seen clearly, and it is also evident that this plant has no trouble with growing into thick sheets.
Date:
None recorded.
Creator:
Leslie J. Mehrhoff
Subject
EcologyContributor
Scott Camus (Student)Format
Color photographSource:
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas Revised & Updated – with More Species and Expanded Control Guidance. National Park Service.
Tags
Rights
No known restrictionsCitation
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, “Water Chestnut,” Appalachian Trail Histories, accessed November 5, 2024, https://appalachiantrailhistory.org/items/show/120.
