News, Culture and NPR for Central & Northern Michigan

European Frogbit found in Michigan

Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio

Flickr User Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project

The invasive plant European frogbit has been found in two more Michigan counties.

European frogbit is a tiny green plant that looks like a water lily.

Kevin Walters is with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

He says European frogbit can form dense mats that sit on top of the water.

“So there’s no light penetration in the water, it makes movement of waterfowl and fish difficult … for humans it makes access to the water for fishing, swimming, boating, things like that can become very difficult.”

Frogbit was found in Lake Pentwater last Wednesday, and in Ottawa County last month.

Walters says boaters should clean, drain, and dry their boats to avoid spreading it.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email