Hydrilla is a fresh water flora. This plant grows to the surface of the water from a depth as great as 20 feet. This is a very familiar flora because it can almost grow in any freshwaters such as springs, rivers, fens, ditches, and lakes. This water plant can prosper in water that is very shallow or up to 20 feet deep. This plant can grow in oligotrophic (low nutrient) to eutrophic (high nutrient) conditions in water.  
 
This fresh water plant will only thrive in temperatures between 20 C and 27 C so it will not be found in harsher climates. The Hydrilla has thick branches that open out upon getting to the surface, molding mats. The Hydrilla can have submerged stems that reach up to twenty five feet in length. The Hydrilla roots, also know as Rhizomes, are  frequently than not off-white or yellow in color. | The roots or Rhizomes of the Hydrilla are ofttimes yellow or off-white in color. } The Hydrilla has a number of ways of reproduction. Fragmentation, from seeds, from tuber, and turions (auxiliary buds) are ways how this pest procreates.
 
When likened with other floras the Hydrilla has numerous advantages. It can grow in very low light with 1% sunshine. native plants in the same area as a Hydrilla get insubstantial amounts of foods because of the Hydrillas absorption rate. Hydrillas grow quickly, vying with native plants, and are therefore believed a noxious pest. Hydrilla is especially dangerous because it can almost entirely take over a body of water before appearing on the surface. When it covers a big area, all the aquatic floras that fall under it die due to the lack of sunlight or nutrition. When Hydrilla encompasses a large area, all the other aquatic floras fail because the do not receive enough sunshine or foods.
 
Every Last year, millions of dollars worth of herbicides and mechanical reapers are used to keep this offensive pest under proper control, so that it doesn’t cross the limit. People can’t fish in areas where Hydrilla is found because it so adversely effects the other plant life in the area. Hydrilla slows down the water flow and totally overloads irrigation and flood-control channels. Bathing, boating, and angling all are seriously affected by it. Mass amounts of Hydrilla can severely lower the oxygen levels of the water it is growing in.
 
Elodea and Egeria are frequently confused for Hydrilla. The aquatic floras Elodea and Egeria are frequently thought to be Hydrilla. Hydrilla can be identified by the teeth found on the undersurface of the midrib. Elodea and Egeria do not have teeth present on their undersides. Neither Elodea nor Egeria has teeth on their undersurface. Because of the teeth, Hydrilla will feel rough. Hydrilla will feel rough due to the presence of the teeth on the bottom of the flora. Also the Hydrilla has smaller blossoms than the Egeria.
 
Macro and micro invertebrates feed on Hydrilla. When they die and disintegrate they turn into food for species like ducks, fish, amphibians, reptilians and other wildlife species. When Hydrilla dies naturally, they are rotted by bacteria and fungi and the end result is “detritus” a food for numerous aquatic invertebrates. Ducks ofttimes eat Hydrilla turions and tubers, but this is not a substantial source of food. Ducks will ofttimes feed on the tubers and turions of Hydrilla, but they don’t make a great diet.