Many Central Florida lakes, particularly those in the Kissimmee
River watershed, are maintained 0.5 to 1.0 m lower than historic (pre-1960) levels during the summer hurricane
season for flood control purposes. These lower water levels
have allowed proliferation and formation of dense monotypic
populations of pickerelweed (
Pontederia cordata
L.) and
other broadleaf species that out compete more desirable native
grasses (Hulon, pers. comm., 2002). Due to the limited
availability of data on the effects of metsulfuron methyl on
wetland plants, particularly in Florida, the present study was
carried out with the objective of testing its phytotoxicity on
six wetland species, to determine the feasibility of its use for
primary pickerelweed control
