Love Hate Relationships Part One

Spatterdock, also known as cow lilies is the other predominant plant in the lake. According to our friends in Texas, “Spatterdock is a perennial plant with leaves that arise from a large spongy rhizome. The leaves have a slit that makes them roughly heart-shaped, 8 to 16 inches long by 10 inches wide, and can float on the surface or stand above the surface on thick round (in cross section) stalks. Flowers are spiracle with 6 to 9 green sepals and yellow petals. Flowers can float on the water or stand above it. Fruits are oval with a flat top and greenish or yellowish in color. Spatterdock can spread from seeds or the rhizomes. 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. Spatterdock is grazed by deer while the rhizomes are consumed by beavers, muskrats, and nutria. Seeds are consumed by ducks and other waterfowl.”While this isn’t considered invasive, it’s a very aggressive plant that many consider to be a nuisance. Since it’s a Florida native it belongs, but it requires management to prevent it from totally taking over the lake. Spatterdock in moderation is good, as it allows room for other plants that provide other benefits to the lake. It really can’t be easily stopped so the best one can hope for is some control via periodic spraying, cutting when dry or manual harvest. Water levels and dredging would have an effect as well.

I guess next I’m going to try to locate some beavers, deer and muskrats to help control the spatterdock. I heard somebody used to bring reindeer to the lake at Christmas; maybe we could help fatten them up with our cow lily crop.