Coontail (Hornwort; Coon’s Tail)
Coontail is rooted to the bottom but sometimes forms large, tangled masses that float freely in the water. The stems can be several feet long, with much branching. The leaves are grouped in whorls around the stems, and each leaf is needlelike, forked once or twice, and covered with small thorny projections. Coontail is usually completely underwater and feels stiff and brittle. Inconspicuous, greenish brown male and female flowers arise separately on the same plant.
Similar species: Several other aquatic plants have narrow leaves that resemble coontail. Coontail is distinguished by its needlelike leaves that are forked only once or twice and have thorny projections.