Salviniaceae

Salvinia molesta

Common Names: Salvinia Synonyms: Salvinia

Plant Form: Free-floating mat-forming aquatic fern. Size: Individual plants 6-25 cm long but forms large mats. Stem: Green, covered in fine hairs, slender and submerged. Leaves: Fronds, light green or yellowish, round to oval, growing in opposite pairs, with many waxy hairs, float on surface in mats. Flowers: N/A Fruit and Seeds: N/A Habitat: Slow moving water bodies like ponds, generally in warmer climates. Distinguishing Features: Leaves get larger than Red root floater (Phyllanthus fluitans). Early growth can be distinguished from Azolla (Azolla species) and Duckweed (Lemna species and Spirodela species) by the opposite frond pairs. Impacts: Affects water quality and flow, prevents native growth, habitat for mosquitoes.