Waterthyme
Hydrilla verticillata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Australia, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Borneo, Burundi, Cambodia, China, DR Congo, Hainan, India, Iran, Japan, Jawa, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Hydrocharitaceae
- Genus:
- Hydrilla
- Species:
- Hydrilla verticillata
- USDA Symbol:
- HYVE3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 900 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Parapoynx diminutalis, waterlily leafcutter moth (Synclita obliteralis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Elophila obliteralis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, fish
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, nutrient-dense, silty soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in freshwater habitats like lakes and rivers.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Notes:
- Reproduces primarily vegetatively via fragmentation and turions; seed germination is rare and poorly documented.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI