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Invasive Hydrilla Plant discovered in New York
Native to Asia, hydrilla was first introduced to the United States in the 1950s when the contents of an aquarium were dumped into a waterway in Florida. It has since spread from Florida to Maine and into a number of Western states. It is found worldwide on every continent except Antarctica.
Hydrilla is a highly invasive aquatic plant that can grow up to an inch per day, creating a thick mat of vegetation when it reaches the water's surface. Hydrilla quickly shades out other aquatic plants, displacing native species, as well as clogging waterways and interfering with boating, fishing and swimming.
Hydrilla verticillata, known commonly as "hydrilla" or "water thyme" was detected in early August by the Cayuga Inlet by Cornell staff. This is the first detection of hydrilla in upstate New York waters, and the risk of it spreading to Cayuga Lake and other regional water bodies is substantial.
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