Hydrilla
This vine-like plant may seem harmless with its little pointed leaves, but it clogs up aquatic environments by growing up to an inch a day. It is considered one of the worst aquatic weeds in the entire country for crowding out other plants and growing in water reservoirs.
If left unchecked, hydrilla can kill local plants and also hurt recreational activities like canoeing and fishing. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, anyone who goes out to a body of water should be sure to clean their boat and equipment before and after using to avoid spreading seeds or plant parts. Any plant parts removed from a boat while cleaning should be tossed into the trash and not back into the water. The department also asks residents to email or call the department if they see an abundance of the plant, in hopes of monitoring where it has spread.
