Second Invasive Plant Found in Cobbosseecontee Lake
New plant seen in Maine for the first time
AUGUSTA, August 15, 2018 — On the heels of the recent
discovery of Eurasian water milfoil, Maine Department of Environmental (DEP)
has confirmed growth of another state-prohibited invasive aquatic plant in Cobbosseecontee
Lake in Manchester. The plant, European
frog’s-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae),
is native to Europe and northern Asia and is a popular water garden and
aquarium plant. First intentionally
introduced to a water garden in Canada in 1932, the plant was found in a New York
river in 1974 and continues to expand its range.
The Cobbossee find is the first
known growth of this plant in Maine. European
frog’s-bit grows best in shallow, slow-moving water and sheltered coves which
is where it was found in a cove and stream inlet in the northeast corner of the
lake. The plant is well-established in the cove and stream, suggesting that it
has been there for several years.
“Admittedly, this latest
discovery it’s a tough one-two punch for Cobbossee Lake. We don’t know how the plant arrived in the
lake but we have already begun the challenge of managing it,” said John McPhedran, DEP Biologist. “The plant was
discovered August 10, surveyed August 13 and removal began August 14. I am
confident that DEP's collaboration with Cobbossee Watershed District and Friends
of Cobbossee Watershed will result in reducing this infestation. But we also need to be realistic: real
control will require continued commitment and will occur over years, not days
or months.”
In addition to reminding boaters
to clean, drain and dry watercraft, trailers and equipment before launching and
after removing from every waterbody, Maine DEP stresses that plants and fish
from aquariums and water gardens should never be dumped into a stream or
lake. If aquarium or water garden plants
are no longer desired, throw them out with the trash.
For additional information, contact:
David Madore, Communications Director
(207) 287-5842
or
John McPhedran
(207) 215-9863
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