Aquatic Invasive Plant Identification Cards: European Frog-bit vs. White Water Lily
DOWNLOADSeptember 2, 2026 - Jo Latimore, Paige Filice, Erick Elgin, and Chelsea Cooper
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EmailWith its abundance of lakes, rivers, and wetlands, Michigan is vulnerable to the impacts of aquatic invasive plants. Invasive plants can negatively impact habitat, water quality, and biodiversity. Fortunately, new invasions can often be stopped if caught early. To help Michiganders identify invasive aquatic plants, Michigan State University Extension created a series of illustrated identification cards.
Learning to identify aquatic invasive plants is critical to slowing their spread in Michigan lakes, rivers, and wetlands. If your organization is interested in large quantities of any of these identification cards for distribution, they are currently available in packs of 100 of each design at no cost by filling out our request form at bit.ly/aiscards. You may also be interested in our more detailed 2025 publication, “Aquatic Invasive Plants: A Field Guide for Michigan Lakes, Streams, and Ponds.”
European Frog-bit vs. White Water Lily
European frog-bit is a free-floating invasive plant that was previously known only from along the Lake Huron coast and connecting waters but has recently spread across the Lower Peninsula. Appearing somewhat like a tiny water lily plant, European frog-bit has small, notched leaves that are 1-2 inches across. It produces small white flowers with three petals and yellow centers, and runners create large floating mats of this plant. Frog-bit should not be confused with Michigan’s native white water lily, which produces much larger leaves (lily pads) and large, complex flowers.
