COLUMBIA, SC
 803.755.1389
UPSTATE SC
  864.525.8058

Water Shield

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Water Shield

Water Shield

Water shield is a perennial plant with relatively small, floating oval to elliptical leaves (to 5 inches in diameter) with no slit. Water shield has a distinctive gelatinous slime on the underside of the leaves and coating the stems. Leaves are green above while the underside of leaves and stems are reddish-purple. Stems attach at the center of the leaves. Flowers are small (9 1/2 to 3/4 inch), rise above the surface, are dull-reddish in color and consist of 3 to 4 sepals and petals. Water shield tends to be found in soft, acidic waters and can form large colonies. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called "detritus") for many aquatic invertebrates. Water shield seeds are consumed by ducks and other waterfowl while the roots and stems are consumed by muskrats and nutria.

 

 

Herbicide Management Options:

 

Rodeo: is a liquid glyphosate formulation and has been effective on water shield. This is a broad spectrum, systemic herbicide. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides. An aquatically registered surfactant (see the label) will have to be added to the glyphosate solution for good results.

 

Habitat: 
 

Gandular 24D:

Sonar: is a florid one compound and comes in a liquid and formulation, and have been effective on water shield. These are broad spectrum, systemic herbicides. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides.

 

Biological Management Options:

 

There are no known Biological Management Options.