Local Survey of Hydrilla Verticillata (L.F.) Royle: An Invasive and Valuable Aquatic Weed

The highly invasive aquatic plant Hydrilla verticillata (l.f.) Royle, commonly known as “Water thyme” is a unique aggressive submerged water weed. It is polymorphic and perennial in nature. Its scientific name is made up of the Greek word “hydro” meaning “water” and the Latin Word “verticillus” that means “the whorl of a spindle”. A highly specialised and impressive growth, physiological features and high rate of infestation make this plant native of submerged aquatic habitat. Once it invades an aquatic habitat it drives out all the native aquatic flora creating a pure stand. The local survey work at some of the important ponds of Jamtara district of Jharkhand state shows this water weed to be an economic drain. It is an angiospermic submerged invisible menace that grows throughout Indian sub-continent. The present work compiles botanical descriptions of Hydrilla verticillata and its economic impact.