This web page lists aquatic plants in Michigan by category and state, providing links to more information. Miniature cattails and miniature water lilies are non-native plants in Michigan, and alternative native plants like watershield can be considered. Picking these plants is legal if not trespassing and the plant is not on the protected plant list, but illegal if it is on the protected, endangered, or threatened list.
Invasive species such as African oxygen weed, Asian longhorned beetle, and giant hogweed are illegal or regulated in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Aquatic Nuisance Control (ANC) Program regulates the chemical treatment of waters. In contrast, Michigan’s native water lilies have sturdy roots anchored to the waterbody bottom and larger leaves.
Some invasive species are legally designated as either “prohibited” or “restricted” by the State of Michigan. If a species is prohibited or restricted, it is not allowed to pick them. Mechanical removal without permits is acceptable unless clearing it out of one of the Great Lakes.
Nymphaea odorata, a native species in the USA, is perfectly legal to transport or possess. It is illegal to pick or collect plants without a permit from National Forests, Parks, or Monuments without a special permit. Not all aquatic plant companies comply with federal and state regulated and illegal pond regulations. Wildflowers protected by request of MichiganGarden Clubs include Adder’s Tongue, Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum, Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis, and Cardinal Flower.
📹 Alligator Snapping Turtle vs Common Snapping Turtle
Alligator Snapping Turtle vs Common Snapping Turtle! Often confused for one another the prehistoric looking Alligator Snapping …
Is Michigan lily rare?
The Michigan lily, also known as Lilium michiganense, is an endangered species in New York, specifically in Monroe and Jefferson counties. It is listed as threatened in Tennessee. The species is found in various sources, including Kew World Checklist, Flora of North America, and the United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile. The species is protected by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and is listed as a rare species by county.
Is it illegal to grow bamboo in Michigan?
The Japanese knotweed, also known as Mexican bamboo or Michigan bamboo, is a prohibited species in Michigan. It is not allowed to sell, import, cultivate, or transport this species. Mowing and cutting are also discouraged as they contribute to its spread and may stimulate re-growth. The species is easily identified by its green to red stalks, oval-shaped leaves with a pointed tip and tapered bottom, and long spiked clusters of flowers that bloom in August and September. If you have seen this species, report it to the MISIN website or smartphone app, accompanied by a photo for ID verification.
Is it illegal to pick trilliums in Michigan?
Trillium plants are susceptible to damage and exploitation, as their removal can impede the plant’s ability to produce food for the subsequent year. This can ultimately lead to the plant’s demise and hinder its future growth. In certain regions, the trillium is classified as threatened or endangered, rendering it unlawful to collect them. It is possible to obtain plants that have been responsibly cultivated from nurseries.
Are white trilliums protected in Michigan?
The Endangered Species Act of Michigan protects all trillium species except White trillium, which is protected under Public Act 203 of 1974. This act prohibits individuals from taking any threatened or endangered plant species, including collecting, picking, cutting, digging up, or destroying them. Violations can result in imprisonment for up to 90 days or a fine of $1, 000 or less. For White trillium, property owners or permission from the owner can pick and maim the plant, while other varieties require a special permit from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Violations can result in jail time or both.
Is foraging illegal in Michigan?
Foraging is generally legal on most public land in the United States, including Michigan and throughout the country. It allows for the personal use of reproductive parts of plants and mushrooms, such as berries and nuts. The legality of foraging varies depending on the location and the amount of food you can forage. Foraging is a great way to reconnect with the land and is a practice of respect. However, the specifics of what you can forage and where are another matter. Overall, foraging is a great way to reconnect with the land and incorporate wild foods into your diet.
Why are water lilies a problem?
Lilies trap sediment at lake outlets, creating shallow water and stagnant areas with low oxygen levels, which affect fish and wildlife, including salmon. This anoxic condition can decrease water quality by increasing phosphorous absorption from the soil. Lilies also provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes and provide a hiding spot for non-native fish. They increase water temperature by absorbing sunlight, impacting salmon and causing increased algae blooms.
Lilies outcompete native plants, reducing biodiversity and impacting the food web and native animals. Their decay in the fall decreases dissolved oxygen and adds nutrients to the water, contributing to increased algal growth and water quality problems. Lilies also reduce recreation opportunities on the lake, making it difficult to swim or paddle through them. Treatment of lilies and milfoil has improved control, but further monitoring is needed to address the spread.
Is plucking flowers illegal in USA?
In National Forests, Parks, or Monuments, it is illegal to pick or collect plants without a permit. However, on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, it is permissible to pick small amounts of flowers, seeds, berries, seeds, nuts, cones, or other plant parts as long as they are not intended for commercial use. Picking endangered or protected species is always illegal. Traffic laws create problems for those picking wildflowers on the side of the road, such as impeded traffic or blocking a road.
If on private land with permission, it is legal to pick wildflowers. Wildflowers are fragile and meant to be enjoyed and admired, but they can wilt and perish soon after being picked. They support pollinators, birds, and small animals, and it is encouraged to grow wildflowers to support them.
Are lady slippers illegal to pick in Michigan?
The Yellow Lady’s-Slipper (Cypripedium candidum), an endangered species in Michigan, is known to flourish in moist, sandy soil at woodland edges and is afforded protection under the relevant legislation.
What is the rarest flower in Michigan?
The Michigan monkey flower, a species of plant native to cold groundwater-fed streams in cedar swamps or alkaline shorelines, is primarily aimed at habitat preservation. Some historical populations have been lost due to development. However, the remaining confirmed Beaver Island population will be permanently protected within a nature preserve. The monkey flower requires constant water flow and full sunlight, which is not available in cedar swamps, as they require full sunlight.
What flower is illegal to pick in Michigan?
Trillium flowers are considered attractive but should not be picked due to the risk of death or recovery. In some areas, like Michigan, it is illegal to pick trilliums. Gentiana, a genus of flowering plants, belongs to the Gentian family and has around 400 species. They consist of annual, biennial, and perennial plants, with some being evergreen and others not. Gentians have trumpet-shaped flowers, usually deep blue or azure, and can vary in color. Blue-flowered species are predominant in the Northern Hemisphere, red in the Andes, and white-flowered species are scattered but dominate in New Zealand.
What plants are illegal to dig up in Michigan?
Invasive species include Eurasian watermilfoil, aquatic plants, Japanese stiltgrass, grasses, spotted knapweed, herbs, autumn olive, shrubs, Tree of Heaven, trees, oriental bittersweet, and vines.
📹 HOMES at Home Frogs and Toads Episode 7
Michigan Sea Grant brings you more fun-filled, family-friendly videos, jam-packed full of Great Lakes fun facts, activity suggestions …
When I was 8 years old. I went to the state fair. Was walking and looking at all the animals. Well I happened to find myself in front of a common snapping turtle. This other kid was petting it. So I tried to pet it. But as soon as I got my hands near him it snapped and grabbed my fingers. I was at a time still there for 8 minutes before it let go of my fingers. It didn’t snap my fingers off just grabbed them aggressively and held on. The handler was tryna keep me calm. The kids that were there were perusal all big eyed more than me. One The little kids was crying. I’m still there with the turtle my fingers in its firm gripped mouth. Tears running down my cheeks but I’m trying to stay calm. People were walking by. Some stopped and noticed my situation. All they could do was gasp. The handler trying to pry the jaws open making sure it doesn’t go full clamp down if it wanted to. When I let go I fainted. Passed out twelve minutes they said. But I was ok. Just a lil shocked. A moment I’ll truly remember lol. That 8 minutes felt like two hours. Well I hope someone enjoyed my story or lucky encounter.
I caught an alligator snapping turtle that weighted no less than 250 or more pounds. So big I couldnt pick it up because I couldnt come close to putting my arms around his shell. Huge. Way bigger than anything I seen on Youtube and that was 15 years ago. Awesome footage and very informative. Always fun to watch. Great article
I found this article because a small Alligator snapping turtle was found by a walker in a pond in Cumbria, a county in the North of England. I had never seen one and was transfixed. It really looks like something out of a early 1900’s film with dinosaurs ! Totally prehistoric from the angular ridges on the back to lumpy bits all over and you really have to look hard to find the eyes. Even inside the mouth looks lumpy ! Not the most beautiful looking creature on earth but totally amazing nonetheless. A vet said someone must have put it in the pond as it was in poor condition from the cold. What I loved also was the guy who found the turtle gave it lovely name – ‘Fluffy’.
Because of the small plastron, these turtles are able to bring their legs more under them when walking. Other turtles can’t do that. Common snapping turtles can become fairly tame when raised from infancy with a lot of careful handling. The flexibility of the neck varies in these two turtles too, and that means that safe handling techniques are somewhat different. One more thing: never pick them up by just their tails because this could cause spinal damage.
I saw an alligator snapping turtle in the wild once, but it must of been an escaped/released pet as it was in a pond at the Taconic State Park in upstate NY about 15-16 years ago. That thing was huge, had to of been at least around 60 pounds or so. It was easily over twice the size of the biggest common snappers I’ve ever come across. Never saw anything like it before, those crazy spikes on the shell were so cool though. I remember thinking how it would make a great kaiju for a Godzilla movie at the time, lol.
That Alligator snapping turtle is tiny compared to two of the three I’ve seen in the wild. The older ones are enormous. They were both at least three times that big. I saw one when I was little and my dad showed me how dangerous they were with a stick. The second one I saw on the side of the road and used a towel to help tow it into the ravine it was headed towards to get to the creek so that it wouldn’t get hit on accident. I flicked the towel at it till it but it and held on, then dragged it. Hitting one of those things at that size will cause a serious accident (and it might survive better than you, the one I towed off had clear marks that it had been hit by something int he past) and they’re a species worth preserving. I also found a baby one in our drive way, I managed to wrap it in a towel and put it in my floor board. I showed it to my friend and her little brother because she appreciated wile animals and I wanted him to know what one looks like. Then I took it out into the woods and let it go near a creek.
Thanks, cool article. I helped to rescue a snapping turtle from a highway over Memorial day. Traffic was stopped because a turtle was blocking the road. The first motorists to stop seemed to be convinced it was headed uphill from the Croton Reservoir. After a brief attempt to herd it failed, I asked a gal with a stout stick to get its attention, so I could grab it from behind. I managed to grab the edges of the carapace just forward of the rear limbs. He/she turned back to aggressively face us after being deposited in the roadside ditch. Maybe a female about to lay eggs??
As a kid we lived out on the lake 2 lane to a 1 lane to gravel maybe 10 house’s in 20 miles Square, alot of farmland but many times as a kid I remember them crossing the road and I had never seen one had a spiked shell and was huge and as a old man i still remember the 1st time i saw one, and everytime we got heavy rains we would see them, they lived in the cow ponds it seemed and when the ponds would over flow we would see them heading towards the lake, would but sticks in its mouth and it would snap them .
2:14 how is it that this is the first time I’ve seen an Alligator Snapping Turtle calmed down before? I’ve seen other ones and all they had when their mouth was open, looking at the camera man is either A. Right after chomping on a fruit to see the crazy amount of bitefore, the turtle is like “You’re next😃🔪” to the camera man. Or B. “Come at me, I dare you😈” I’m aware that’s how they are and they get into defensive, but this is the first time I’ve seen em just non aggressive after being calmed as in like “oh? These guys are tryna attack meh, they just wanna admire the badass artillery and show it off to ppl around the world…alrighty😎🔥”
34 years ago, or about the time I was 7 and the world was much bigger, my dad and I went musky fishing by an old train bridge in Duluth MN. Pylons were there but bridge was gone. I noticed that there were turtle egg shells on the ground and told my dad we should leave incase the mom came back. And about 10-20 minutes later, my pole bent in half. My dad thought he had musky on, but when it got close it was a large snapper. 24inch shell kind of big snapper. I swear it had the pointy shell and thought it was a loggerhead for the longest time, but all the maps say it doesnt range that for north. Either way, I thought it was Godzilla. My dad cut line as soon as it huge head popped out of the water.
I’ve live trapped and removed nuisance common snapping turtles, and I have seen them in fast moving streams, more than once. The largest one I ever messed with was at an amusement park with swan boats and I had to remove her, a big female because people and kids were trying to pet it. She was massive in size, with a shell probably 24 inches around and I would say she weighed a good 40 pounds. Most I see have shells around 15-16 inches or so but they will still do some very serious damage to your fingers or hands if you mess with one. The smallest I dealt with I could put in the palm of my hand and he was still trying to bite me. I found a small pond where he could live without too many problems.
I reeled a snapping turtle in on a river bank here in Ohio while catfishing a nice size swimming hole. He was almost double the size of this one he is showing us. It was heavy reeling but absolutely no fight. Getting a hook off that thing was pretty sketchy but I managed without causing him any grief.