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What are the leaves like?

or
Dissected leaves:
The leaves are not one single shape, but are feathered or branched.
  If small bladders are present it's probably the native bladderwort. If not, continue.
Flat leaves:
A single leaf that is not forked, branched or feathered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or
Feathered:
Leaf looks like a bird feather with one main stem and small leaflets off the main stem.
This could be WATER MILFOIL. Three milfoils are invasive: Eurasian, Variable, and Parrot Feather. (Click on the name or the drawing for a photo.)
Branched:
Leaf is like a tree with the main stem forking many times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or
Opposite pairs :
Single leaves emerge from the same place on the stem in opposite pairs.
This is probably FANWORT, a non-native plant. (Click on the name or the drawing for a photo.)
Whorled or single leaves:
The leaves all emerge around the stem in the same place (similar to the spokes of an umbrella).
This is a native plant.

try flat leaves?>>

start over>>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

or
Single:
Leaves emerge from the main stem at different places, not whorled or opposite each other.
Whorled:
Three or more leaves all emerge from the stem in the same place. If there are 4–6 leaves in each whorl, not three, and the leaf margins are saw-like, it's HYDRILLA, a non-native plant. If the leaf margins are smooth, and are in whorls of four, it may be SOUTH AMERICAN WATER-WEED, another non-native plant. (Click on the names or the drawing for a photo.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and
Midvein:
Is there a single dominant vein in the center of the plant? If yes, then look at the picture on the right.
Serrations and Wavy:
If the leaf margins are saw-like and the leaves are wavy, it's likely to be CURLY-LEAF PONDWEED, a non-native plant. (Click on the name or the drawing for a photo.)

try dissected leaves?>>

start over>>

 

 

 
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