Coontail, or sometimes called hornwort, is a dark olive-green, rootless submerged perennial plant that often forms dense colonies. Leaves are relatively stiff, whorled with many forks and small teeth along one edge. The tips of branches are crowded with leaves giving it a “coontail” resemblance. Coontail reproduces by seeds and fragmentation.

Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates. The fruits of coontail are consumed by ducks and it is considered a good wildlife food.

Herbicide Management Options:

Reward: is a liquid diquat formulation that has been effective on coontail. It is a contact herbicide. Contact herbicides act quickly and kill all plants cells that they contact.
 

Sonar: are floridone compounds and comes in both liquid and granular formulations, and have been effective on coontail. These are broad spectrum, systemic herbicides. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action. Systemic herbicides tend to act more slowly than contact herbicides.

Biological Control:
 

Grass carp:  Grass Carp are very affective in controlling coontail at a stocking rate of 20 fish per surface acre of plant biomass. A permit for triploid Grass Carp is required by the SCDNR. AMS is licensed to provide these permits for you.