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hydrilla

noun hy·dril·la \ hī-ˈdri-lə \

Definition of hydrilla

:a freshwater aquatic Asian plant (Hydrilla verticillata of the Hydrocharitaceae family) that has small narrow leaves growing in whorls of three to eight around stems which become heavily branched near the water surface

Recent Examples of hydrilla from the Web

In the coming months, Leesburg will teach her baby where to munch on water hyacinth and hydrilla.

— jason ruiter, OrlandoSentinel.com, "One of first manatees spotted in Lake County gives birth to calf," 24 Aug. 2017
The lake is also lush with hydrilla, and the invasive snails thrive on the plants, feeding on its leaves and scaling its stalks for a breath of fresh air at the surface.

— National Geographic, "Deadly Brain Disease Is Driving Swamp Birds Insane," 18 May 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrilla.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of hydrilla

New Latin, probably from Latin Hydra Hydra

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1969

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Learn More about hydrilla

See words that rhyme with hydrilla Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrilla

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