European Water Chestnut (Trapa natans) plants were one of the two invasive species identified in Clamshell Pond in 2016. Because It is a non-native plant that reproduces rapidly and has no natural predators, it can potentially cover the water surface in a very short time. Each plant produces many floating rosettes. Each rosette can grow numerous seed pods that sink to the pond’s bottom, where each can potentially produce up to 20 new plants.
Because seed pods can remain viable for up to 12 years, state water scientists and Rauscher Farm volunteers inspect Clamshell Pond regularly and hand-pick floating rosettes if any are found.
