Pest Photo

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Water-chestnut

Trapa natans

Water-chestnut (Trapa natans) is an invasive plant of fresh water. It is a native of Europe and was first detected in Massachusetts in 1870s.

Preferring shallow water, this invasive will form dense mats of vegetation blocking sunlight and decreasing oxygen levels which critically alters the water's ecosystem.