Hydrilla is a freshwater plant. It is a plant that grows up to the surface in water of about 20 feet deep. This is a very familiar flora because it can almost grow in any fresh waters such as springs, rivers, fens, ditches, and lakes. Hydrillas can grow in as little as a few inches of water or in as much as 20 feet of water. This plant can grow in either oligotrophic (low nutrient) or eutrophic (high nutrient) water.  
 
The tolerance temperature level of a Hydrilla is 20o C to 27o C; hence, it cannot stand harsh climates. The Hydrilla has thick branches that open out upon reaching the surface, molding mats. The underwater stems of the Hydrilla can be as long as 25 feet. mostly off-white or yellow in color. | The roots or Rhizomes of the Hydrilla are oftentimes yellow or off-white in color. }There are lots of ways a Hydrilla can multiply. Fragmentation, from seeds, from tuber, and turions (auxiliary buds) are ways how this pest reproduces.
 
The Hydrilla has many advantages when compared to other floras. Only one percent sunshine is need for the Hydrilla to grow. Hydrillas absorb a great deal of nutrients from the water leaving small for the native plants. Hydrillas are labeled as a noxious pest because of their fast growth rate that makes them a menace to other indigenous plants. The greatest danger of Hydrilla is that it can grow out of control and undetected until it pops out at the surface at the last minute. When it covers a big area, all the aquatic plants that fall under it die due to the lack of sunlight or nutrition. When Hydrilla encompasses a large area, all the other marine plants fail because the do not receive enough sunlight or foods.
 
Each year, millions are spent on weed killers and harvesting all in an effort to curb the growth and spread of Hydrilla. Individuals can’t fish in areas where Hydrilla is found because it so adversely burdens the other flora life in the area. Hydrilla slows down the water flow and totally clogs irrigation and flood-control ducts. Hydrilla impedes swimmers, boatmen and fishermen alike. When a lot of Hydrilla grows together, it can totally take down that areas water oxygen level.
 
Elodea and Egeria are often mixed up for Hydrilla. The aquatic floras Elodea and Egeria are frequently thought to be Hydrilla. In the case of a Hydrilla, there is one or more teeth located at the bottom of the midrib. But for Elodea and Egeria, this is not present. Due to these teeth, we feel the harshness of these floras when we rub over from its base to the tip. Also the Hydrilla has smaller blossoms than the Egeria.
 
Macro and micro invertebrates feed on Hydrilla. Upon dying, these micro and macro organisms disintegrate and become food for other land and aquatic wildlife. When Hydrilla dies naturally, they are rotted by bacteria and fungi and the end result is “detritus” a food for several marine invertebrates. Many ducks consume Hydrilla turions and tubers, but it is not believed a fine wildlife feed.

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