Carnivorous Plants in Your Pond

Common Bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza)

Plants that eat animals, somewhat unusually some may think- But in fact they are  quite common, both in waters of the Midwest and around the world. A specialized genus of submergent vegetation commonly know as bladderwort (Utricularia sp.), has the ability to trap and consume zooplankton, protozoans, flatworms, and even mosquito larve. The plant's physical structure is unique in the fact that it has small branching bladder like traps located throughout the underwater portions of the plant, hence the name bladderwort. Zooplankton in the water column are attracted to these traps by a sugary mucilage secreted by the plant. Once there, the prey sets off a series of trigger hairs and is sucked into the bladder with the use of osmotic pressure.

Although the plant does have photosynthetic leaf-shoots, the ability to supplement it's energy production with the consumption of higher-level organisms is assumed to evolutionarily benefit the plant under nutrient limiting conditions. Bladderwort has been found to thrive in the harshest of conditions including the the cold of Antarctica and acidified lakes of the Adirondacks- But don't be surprised if it's found in the pond down the street either, this plant is truly cosmopolitan in freshwater. In the United States a couple varieties exist, typically displaying a yellow or purple colored flower mid to late summer. Utricularia is not considered a nuisance plant, and seldom has the ability to over populate a waterbody. 

So, if your out fishing at your pond or down by the water's edge, take a look and see if you can see any distinct branching bladders (typically 0.2 mm to 1.2 cm wide; See image above). And if you don't like what you see, don't forget about the AQUA DOC's full season premium lake and pond management services for nuisance weed and algae control. Now is a good time to be thinking about your aquatic plants, before the major portion of the growing season starts. For more information and to get in contact with our experts please call us at (440) 286-POND or email aquadocinc@aol.com.

Enjoy your pond this year!

~ The Frogger Blogger

External Links:
University of Buffalo, Carnivorous plant packs big wonders into tiny genome
USDA Wildflowers

Lakescaping and Shoreline Preservation

Almost always, the first thing people notice about your pond or lakefront property is the condition of the shoreline. Lakescaping is a lawn/shoreline design that uses native wetland plants, shrubs, and trees to create an eye-catching and functional solution to shoreline erosion issues. Some benefits of this type of planting project over traditional shoreline hardscapes (sheet pile, rip-rap, etc.) include reduced care and maintenance cost over the long term, more efficient stabilization of soils, discouragement or elimination of migratory bird (geese) impacts on lawn areas, improved water quality, and increases shoreline terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity.

Your typical Kentucky bluegrass lawn has a rooting depth of approximately 2-4 inches. Many of the wetland plants native to our area of the world offer a much greater rooting depth- some with roots greater than six feet deep. When properly chosen, these plants have the ability to anchor eroding shoreline soils, withstanding all sorts of inherent environmental factors including water level fluctuation and annual freeze thaw patterns.

Migratory birds including the Canada goose generally prefer a direct line or path to and from a respective waterbody. Backyard ponds with a traditional monoculture lawn shoreline offer an ideal habitat for Canadian geese and other migratory birds. By breaking up this pathway with the use of taller and hardier wetland plants, geese populations are forced traverse a more difficult situation when accessing the water; decreasing the potential of your pond attracting nuisance bird populations.

While creating a stunning lawn design and protecting your shoreline you are also functionally changing the dynamics of your pond’s immediate watershed. A properly vegetated shoreline serves as a buffer from incoming nutrients and runoff, naturally increasing water clarity and selecting for beneficial plant species.

Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)

The goal of lakescaping is to return 50-75% of the shoreline to a naturally vegetated state. However, as it will take more time and energy to maintain, we realize this design is not for everyone (especially in the early planting stages), but if you view your pond as a wildlife refuge, or wildlife viewing area AQUA DOC is now offering shoreline plant sales. Join us this spring in celebrating the beauty and functionality of native wetland plants by participating in our 2015 blue flag iris sale. For more information please call us at (440) 286-POND or email aquadocinc@aol.com.

Enjoy your pond this year!

~ The Frogger Blogger

*Customer responsible for planting of all purchased Blue Flag Iris.
*Remember never plant woody vegetation or trees directly on earthen dams as their hardy root systems can damage your pond over time.

External Links:
Chicago Botanical Garden Lake Shoreline Erosion Control and Habitat Enhancement
Lakescaping for Wildlife