Widgeon Grass Control — Easily Kill Widgeon Grass in Your Pond or Lake

Belonging to the category of submerged weeds, Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) is also known by its common names ditch-grass and Tassel pondweed. This aquatic plant is also categorized as a seagrass as it has the unique ability of being able to survive in both fresh and saltwater environments (Please note that the widget grass control methods described below apply only to the freshwater variety).

Widgeon grass can best be described as having long thread-like leaves that grow alternately along thin multi-branched stems. When not flowering the grass can be easily mistaken for Sago pondweed, so when identifying the species look for the trait that Sago pondweed has of growing its own leaves in bushy clusters.

Widgeon grass reproduces both Sexually and Asexually. Asexual reproduction occurs by the emergence of new stems from the root-rhizome system. Sexual reproduction happens in late-summer when each plant produces two flowers.

The plant rarely grows longer than 3 to 4 feet, making it a nuisance almost exclusively around dock and swimming areas. Due to its maximum length it seldom causes an issue in deeper waters, which is why we recommend Widgeon grass control in docks and swimming areas only as the plant can be beneficial to many types of waterfowl (its name is even purported to have come from an East coast variety of duck).

In a smaller body of water such as a pond, we recommend PONDRestore® Ultra. The products contained in PONDRestore® Ultra will easily assist you in your Widgeon grass control.

For lake shores, RestoreAccess® Ultra is a great choice for eliminating areas of undesired growth. The Herbicide contained in RestoreAccess® Ultra is a fast-acting contact herbicide that will quickly eliminate Widgeon grass and other submerged weeds.

As always, Lake Restoration has your whole lake or Pond’s health in mind so please feel free to contact us with any questions.