| waterlettuce |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: PIST2 USDA ARS GRIN: 102491 ITIS: 42542 NAPIS: PAKAEBA |
| Pistia stratiotes L. | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Arales: Araceae |
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| Synonym(s): tropical duckweed | |
Water lettuce is a free floating herbaceous plant that invades aquatic environments in the warmer regions of the United States. The leaves occur in a rosette and are gray-green, spongy, 0.8-6 in. (2-15 cm) long with deep, parallel veins. Flowering occurs in late summer to early winter, but plants have been observed flowering nearly all year. The inconspicuous flowers are clustered near the stalk. The fruit is a many-seeded, green berry. Water lettuce invades lakes, ponds and slow moving streams in tropical, subtropical and warmer temperate regions. High vegetative reproduction allows water lettuce to form dense floating mats of vegetation. Severe infestations block light to the water ecosystem, reduce oxygen levels, increase siltation, reduce suitable fish spawning habitat and restrict water flow and boating traffic. Water lettuce is believed to be native to Africa or South America, but it is widely distributed throughout the world’s tropical areas. The plant was identified in North America as early as the late 1700s. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
- Images, Video and Information - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Global Invasive Species Database - Invasive Species Specialist Group
- Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut
- Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida
- Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); exotic invasive Troy Evans, Eastern Kentucky University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); in water garden Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; in water garden Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; leaf Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); USDA ARS Archive, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Columbia/Suwannee counties, Florida, U.S.A. Richard Carter, Valdosta State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Karen Brown, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Karen Brown, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, 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:
- Faith Campbell, 1998. Plants that Hog the Garden: Invasive Plants in the United States. Fine Gardening Online
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2005
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council Watch list A
- Alabama Noxious Weeds Class C Noxious Weed
- California Noxious Weeds
- Connecticut Noxious Weeds
- Alachua County Cogongrass Initiative
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Category I
- Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area - EARLY DRAFT
- South Carolina Noxious Weeds
- Texas Noxious Weeds
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