HOW TO IDENTIFY AND CONTROL
Its growth and expansion since the 1990’s throughout New England and Minnesota has served to destabilize critical ecosystem functions and impair recreational and utilitarian values. Invasive species, like starry stonewort, can reduce property values for the property owners in these riparian areas.
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The most significant characteristic of this species
is that it is predictably unpredictable.
It will bloom and decline without warning.
Dr. Douglas Pullman, Sr. Aquatic Plant Scientist
Applied Biochemists |
Ecosystem ImpactsStarry stonewort reproduces rapidly, and is one of the most aggressive aquatic invasive species. It is able to outcompete other aquatic plant species, including all other non-native, noxious and invasive plants. However, there are several plant species that seem to thrive cohabitating in the presence of starry stonewort, such as rootless bladderworts, coontail and sometimes water lilies.
The visual impact starry stonewort has on water clarity is profound and water clarity is often excellent in lakes where it is dominant. However, it can also indirectly and adversely influence the plant and animal life beneath the water surface. Starry stonewort can spread quickly from lake to lake by producing specialized fragment and structures known as bulbils that are easily transferable on the fur of animals and on bird feathers. Plants and plant parts can get caught on boat trailers and are transferred by humans. It is an opportunistic species that can make a substantial and damaging impact on the surrounding ecosystems with its unforeseeable bloom and crash cycles that can happen at what seems to be random times throughout the year. Blooms extirpate desirable plants and compromise critical aquatic habitats. Crash events leave voids in in the plant community that can be rapidly filled by other weeds or trigger cyanobacteria blooms depending on the size of the crash event. |
Effect of starry stonewort on water clarity. Also note the smooth appearance of the mounds of starry stonewort, approximately 2’ below the water surface.
Specialized fragments that aid in dispersal of starry stonewort bulbils “stars”.
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The charoid algae look like higher plants because they seem to have stems and branches, but they are indeed algae and members of the characea. There are 6 extant (living – there are many fossil genera) genera in this family. They include:
There are dozens of charoid algae species in the Northern US, Chara being the most common genus. |
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Cutrine® Ultra has been shown
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KEEP MONITORING
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We can help develop a plan for monitoring and treating starry stonewort. |
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