Indian Lake, Orange

Our August 2006 survey found 14 aquatic plant species, including the invasive minor naiad (Najas minor). The most abundant species in the lake, however, is the native species western waterweed (Elodea nuttallii).

Western waterweed is found along the entire perimeter of the lake, with very few breaks, except for the northeast cove which is covered with American white water lily (Nymphaea odorata ssp. tuberosa), yellow water lily (Nuphar variegata), watermeal (Wolffia species), and common duckweed (Lemna minor). The furthest cove to the northeast has abundant western waterweed and ribbon-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus). Around the peninsula in the northeast, there is more western waterweed along with snailseed pondweed (Potamogeton bicupulatus) and very sparse needle spikerush (Eleocharis acicularis). This mix continues through the eastern-most cove, along with some floating-leaved species.

The southeast shore contains western waterweed, the floating-leaved plants, small patches of pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), charaphyte algae (Chara), and snailseed pondweed. Further to the south, there is one small patch of ribbon-leaf pondweed and a patch of the invasive minor naiad.  

Along the northwestern shore are two patches of spineless hornwort (Ceratophyllum echinatum). The usual mix of western waterweed and floating plants continues along the western shore, until it is intermingled with minor naiad, snailseed pondweed, and needle spikerush in both northwest coves.