MLWA Invasive Plants Project
The MLWA has begun a new effort to control the spread of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) along the shores of Mirror Lake in coordination with several partners.
This extremely prolific, invasive plant is a threat to our lake ecosystem despite its attractive appearance….
Purple Loosestrife
Purple Loosestrife is an extremely hardy and prolific plant with no native enemies. It will crowd out native vegetation and reduce the biological diversity that sustains life for insect, amphibian, bird, fish, and mammalian wildlife.
The infestations on the shores of Mirror Lake act as a “nursery” of seeds which can spread Purple Loosestrife to neighboring bodies of water such as Lake Placid and the Chubb River.
The Purple Loosestrife threat in more detail here.
The Project consists of two parts:
Educate the shoreline landowners and the general public about the threat, how to recognize and report Purple Loosestrife, and about alternative non-invasive ornamental plants.
Contain and/or eradicate the plant by assisting in: the inventorying and mapping of infestations, asking affected landowners for permission to remove vegetation, and the physical removal of plants.
Our Partners in this effort include:
Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program
Hilary Oles, Program Coordinator
c/o Adirondack Nature Conservancy
Keene Valley, NY 12943
518 576-2082 x 131
Milfoil Concern
•There is an unsubstantiated report in Mirror Lake of an aquatic weed, Variable-leaf Milfoil.
•The weed poses a threat to the ecology and the economy of the entire lake. Dense growth of this plant crowds out beneficial native aquatic plants and impair water quality, boating, fishing, and swimming.
•The weed is transported from infected lakes to uninfected lakes when small fragments stick to boat hulls, paddles, or any other water gear, and then it spreads within a lake by plant fragments breaking off, floating to other locations, and taking root. Variable-leaf milfoil occurs in the Saranac Lake area and this summer was found in Lake Placid, where control efforts are underway.
•Please immediately report any plants with the distinct “bottlebrush” and typically reddish-stemmed appearance of this plant (see image below) to mirrorlk@gmail.com or call 523-2214. If possible, save a specimen in a plastic ziplock bag with water for positive identification and refrigerate the bag.
•If detected early, this invasive weed can be controlled. Thank you for your assistance.
(photo of milfoil here)
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