Elodea (native species)

Illustration provided by: IFAS, Center for Aquatic Plants, University of Florida, Gainsville, 1990

Key Characteristics:
  • Native elodea is small, viewed in cross-section about the size of a dime, (whereas Brazilian elodea is about the size of a 50 cent piece).
  • Native elodea has leaves arranged in whorls of three. (Brazilian elodea has leaves arranged in whorls of four to six.)
  • Native elodea is found in nearly every lake and river in Washington.