Illinois Audubon Society Quiz Wetland Invasives

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1. Wetland plants are often under water for long stretches of time where they can struggle to survive. Cattails (Typha sp.) cope by having

f. All of the above

43.5%

e. B and C

41.4%

d. A and C

6.1%

b. Aerenchyma which are special air channels in the stems that allow air to flow down to the roots.

5.1%

c. Elongated stems and leaves to always keep some of the plant above water.

3.6%

a. Adventitious roots that grow off the stems above water to get fresh air.

0.3%

2. Which of these invasive species can grow the tallest?

a. Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass)

31.3%

b. Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass)

11.0%

c. Phragmites australis (common reed)

42.2%

d. Typha angustifolia (narrow-leaved cattail)

15.5%

3. Phragmites is not native to Illinois.

True

64.1%

False

18.5%

Unclear

17.4%

4. Which invasive species blooms earliest?

a. Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass)

40.5%

b. Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass)

20.9%

c. Phragmites australis (common reed)

16.8%

d. Typha angustifolia (narrow-leaved cattail)

21.8%

5. How many seeds can Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) produce per plant?

a. 100,000

13.5%

b. 250,000

44.1%

c. 2.5 million

37.5%

d. 10 million

4.9%

6. Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) is a free-floating aquatic perennial that is able to float because it

a. distributes its weight across its huge, lillypad like leaves.

17.9%

b. has bulbous leaf petioles that are inflated like balloons that act as floats.

60.4%

c. has modified primary roots that continuously pump air under the leaves.

5.9%

d. has an enormous number of fine roots that don’t break the water’s surface tension.

15.8%

7. Nasturtium officinale (watercress) is an edible invasive species that can be used in salads with a distinct

a. radish-like flavor

73.5%

b. onion-like flavor

9.4%

c. carrot-like flavor

5.3%

d. cabbage-like flavor

11.8%

8. Potamogeton crispus (curly leaf pondweed) can spread through its:

g. All of the above

38.6%

f. B and C

19.3%

b. Rhizomes – a modified underground stem that can produce new roots and shoots

12.8%

e. A and C

11.6%

d. A and B

11.0%

c. Turions – a type of bud that can generate a whole new plant

6.5%

a. Seed

0.3%

9. Regularly cleaning your boats, canoes, kayaks, waders and boots is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of Potamogeton crispus (curly leaf pondweed) and other invasive wetland plants?

True

97.0%

False

3.0%

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