giant salvinia

Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitchell

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Salvinia molesta is an aquatic fern that floats on the surface of the water. Submerged fronds are “stringy” and resemble roots.
Foliage
Floating leaves are 0.5-1.5 in. (2.5-3.8 cm) long, oblong, and vary in color from green to gold to brown. The surfaces of the leaves have rows of arching hairs that look like little egg-beaters. When young, leaves are smaller and lie flat on the surface of the water.
Flowers
This plant does not produce flowers.
Fruit
S. molesta reproduce by spores and by budding of broken stems or attached nodes.
Ecological Threat
After maturing, S. molesta forms chains of leaves that run together to form thick mats on the surface of the water. These mats restrict oxygen and light availability causing death of the primary producers and disrupting the aquatic food chain. S. molesta is on the Federal Noxious Weed list and can invade most any type of aquatic system. The plant is native to South America and was first introduced into North America as an ornamental.

Resources


Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s) tertiary form
Mic Julien, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s) closeup with quarter for size reference
Scott Robinson, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Mic Julien, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s)
Troy Evans, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bugwood.org
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Foliage habit
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Foliage
Barry Rice, sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org
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Feature(s) "eggbeater" shaped leaf features
Barry Rice, sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s)
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation This canal was completely covered by giant salvinia in a few short months. A dinner plate size patch of the plant was first noticed in the canal in late July. This picture was taken in early December 1999.
Scott Robinson, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
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Distribution