The origin of Hydrilla verticillata recently discovered at a South African dam

Hydrilla was discovered during February 2006 at the Pongolapoort dam on the Pongola river, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Four South African plants along with 30 others from around the world were analyzed using the trnL intron and trnL-F intergenic spacer of the chloroplast. The sequence data yielded major clusters of worldwide hydrilla almost identical to earlier RAPD studies with superior definition of the relationships between clusters. The sequences of the South African specimens were identical with Malaysian and Indonesian samples. Interviews with aquatic plant dealers indicate Malaysia is a major source of aquatic species for the trade in South Africa.