Tapegrass

Tapegrass, also referred to as Wild Celery and Eelgrass, is a perennial grass with long narrow leaves.  This plant is almost entirely submerged except for the single white, female flowers that grow above the surface.  Tapegrass consists of flat, thin, ribbon-like leaves that are up to 3 meters long and only 2.5 centimeters wide.  It can be distinguished from other aquatic grasses by the stripe or midrib running down the center of each leaf.  Tapegrass produces cylindrical pods that contain seeds but its primary mode of spreading is by runners under the soil that allow it to form thick meadows.  This aquatic plant is native to eastern North America where it grows in lakes, ponds, and streams that are 1 meter to 4 meters in depth.  Here, it provides a habitat for fish and other invertebrates, and provides food for waterfowl. 

Tapegrass has the potential to form dense meadows where it can become troublesome for fisherman, boaters, and swimmers.  It can be controlled with granular hydrothol which can be applied at a rate of 27-136 pounds per acre foot.  Liquid hydrothol can also be used at a rate of 1-3 gallons per acre foot.  After the Tapegrass has been eliminated, AQUA DOC blue can be applied at a rate of 1 quart per acre foot to shade light from stimulating the growth of new Tapegrass.