'Nightmare concern' | Biologists warn NoVa residents to report invasive plant species

FAIRFAX, Va. (7News) — Biologists in Virginia are sounding the alarm and asking residents to keep an eye out, to help eradicate an invasive plant species they say is spreading across Northern Virginia ponds and waterways.

"We’re very close to not being able to eradicate, and it will be a forever nightmare concern forever more," Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Stewardship Biologist Kevin Heffernan said.

The plant is named "Trapa bispinosa."

Scientists in Fairfax County even found seed pods of the floating aquatic plant in the pond at their own government center.

"It’s here too, isn’t that ironic," Urban Conservation Specialist Scott Baron said.

Baron is with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District and described the "pod" of the tiny, but explosive, species to 7News.

"They’re sharp--they’re spiny with little barbs on the end," Baron said.

READ | Gov. Wes Moore calls for disaster declaration after invasive fish species increase

"You hold it up and it looks like a little bull, or a monster or something.

Trapa bispinosa has been found in Lake Accotink, Burke Lake--but also in more than 120 other documented sites--including several sites in Maryland last year.

Right now, the pods are in the mud, but Baron and Heffernan tell 7News that by July, the infestations will blossom, possibly with leaves covering the surface of the water.

"Kayaking, canoeing around in those places would be harder to do if a full-on infestation takes over," Heffernan said.

ALSO READ | Invasive species of giant, parachuting spiders spreading across East Coast, experts say

The roots of the plant can be as much as 15 feet long below the surface.

"When you paddle into it, it’s like a plate of spaghetti," Heffernan said. "And you stick in a big fork, or rake, and you start twirling and then you get a big mess of stuff."

Heffernan said Geese have been spreading the seed around from pond to pond.

The plant is not harmful to people or pets, but it is harmful to existing ecosystems.

READ THIS | Quarantine areas for invasive Spotted Lanternfly species increase in Maryland

Heffernan and Baron said the Trapa leaves block sunlight, as the plant removes Oxygen from the water, replacing it with Nitrogen. When the plant dies and begins to decay, the biomatter can also begin to change the nutrients in the water.

"It just causes a cascade of problems in the habitat," Heffernan said.

For private pond owners, it can be expensive to clean, and sharp to the touch. Baron said there is an herbicide that can be used on the pods before the seeds are matured, but the timing is tricky.

As of now, crews have been clearing the plant mechanically, in waders and using rakes or gloved hands.

Heffernan said more funding is needed to keep fighting the Trapa.

"Today is as cheap as it will ever be to control," Heffernan said. "And each day, month, year that goes by, it will get more expensive."

Residents can report sightings of Trapa bispinosa through the USGS.