| giant salvinia |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: SAMO5 USDA ARS GRIN: 102979 ITIS: 181823 NAPIS: PEPACBC |
| Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitchell | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Filicopsida: Hydropteridales: Salviniaceae |
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| Synonym(s): kariba weed, salvinia, water fern | |
Giant salvinia is an aquatic fern with floating leaves that are ½ to 1 ½ 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. After maturing, giant salvinia 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. Submerged fronds are “stringy” and resemble roots. Plants reproduce by spores and by budding of broken stems or attached nodes. Giant salvinia 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. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
- Global Invasive Species Database - Invasive Species Specialist Group
- Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
- Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut
- Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Pest Alert - USDA APHIS PPQ
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Plant(s); closeup with quarter for size reference Scott Robinson, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Close up of giant salvinia plants Scott Robinson, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); the hairs form an 'egg-beater' shape at the tips Mic Julien, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Sporangia Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Troy Evans, Eastern Kentucky University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Troy Evans, Eastern Kentucky University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Giant salvinia is a fast-growing fern that can clog ponds and lakes. Forming mats up to 2 feet thick, the plant gobbles up oxygen and blocks sunlight needed by other water dwellers. Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, 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 Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; A large infestation in Mississippi. Photo taken Sept 22, 2004. See photo# 1333010 for picture of infestation 41 days earlier. Kenneth Calcote, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; covering a farm pond restricts commercial and recreational use and degrades aesthetics Ted D. Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Control; A Georgia DNR fisheries technician treats the infestation of giant salvinia. DNR is attempting to eradicate the plant in this location. Scott Robinson, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Victor Ramey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- Gulf of Mexico Regional Panel, Aquatic Nuisance Species Annual Report, 2001
- National Wildlife Refuge Association, Silent Invasion: A Call to Action from the National Wildlife Refuge Association, 2002. Washington DC. 17 pp.
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council Watch list A
- Arkansas Noxious Weeds Prohibited
- Arizona Noxious Weeds
- California Invasive Plant Council
- California Noxious Weeds
- Colorado Noxious Weeds
- Connecticut Noxious Weeds
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Category 1 Alert
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Mississippi Noxious Weeds
- North Carolina Noxious Weeds Class A
- Nevada Noxious Weeds
- Oregon Noxious Weeds
- South Carolina Noxious Weeds
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council Watch List B
- Tennessee Noxious Weeds
- Vermont Noxious Weeds
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