I second Jeff's recommendation of Hotchkiss' book. It was originally
published as 2 separate publications of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and
Wildlife, USDI in 1967 (Publication 44, Underwater and Floating-leave
Plantsof the US and Canada)) and 1970 (Publication 93, Common Marsh Plantsof
the US and Canada) but was reprinted by Dover Publications, Inc. for the
first time in 1972. Beware that if you use the Dover edition that there are
2 tables of contents and 2 indexes and that the pagination is not continuous
from cover to cover. Forgetting these facts has caused me quite a bit of
frustration in trying to locate specific plants in this book.
Other volumes that we use for aquatic plant ID here at the Fort Worth Nature
Center & Refuge include:
Correll, D. S. & H. B. Correll. 1972. Aquatic and wetland plants of
southwestern United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Water Pollution
Control Research Series 16030 DNL 01/72. 1777pp. (Fairly comprehensive,
detailed key, line drawings, covers Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
Texas)
Stutzenbaker, C. D. 1999. Aquatic and wetland plants of the western Gulf
Coast. Texas Parks and Wildlife Press. 465 pp. (Available from Univ. TX
Press, PO Box 7819, Austin TX 78713-7819 for $20-$25. This volume is useful
beyond its stated geographic range and includes photos and line drawings for
ID as well as sections on habitat, wildlife value, propagation, management
and similar species for each plant species included.)
We also occasionally use much older volumes such as Fasset's (1940) Manual
of Aquatic Plants and Muenscher's (1944) Aquatic Plants of the United
States. They are worth picking up at used book stores if you find them.
An unusual source for aquatic plant ID guides are the chemical companies who
are trying to market their products to control the plants. Applied
Biochemists, Inc. of Mequon, WI used to (and may still) produce a 64 page
guide (How to identify and control water weeds and algae: A guide to water
management) that is useful for common problem plants. Pennwalt Corporation
of Philadelphia also used to produce "Submerged Aquatic Weeds and Algae
Guide".
If you are just starting out with IDing aquatic plants or only want the most
basic of information, pick up a copy of the faithful Golden Guide Series,
Pond Life which has 20 pages or so of the most common wetland and aquatic
plants.
Rob Denkhaus
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
Our Mission: To enhance the quality of life by enrolling and educating our
community in the preservation and protection of natural areas while standing
as an example of these same principles and values in North Central Texas.
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