giant salvinia |
|
| Hydropteridales > Salviniaceae > Salvinia molesta D. S. Mitchell
|
| Synonym(s): kariba weed, salvinia, water fern |
Giant salvinia is an aquatic fern with floating leaves that are 0.5 to 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. 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. |
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
|
Selected Images from Invasive.org
Click on each thumbnail to download the image at 1536x1024 resolution or below for available resolutions.
Use 768x512 for Microsoft PowerPoint and use 1536x1024 for Prints and Publications.
Plant(s); closeup with quarter for size reference
Scott Robinson, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Plant(s); Close up of giant salvinia plants
Scott Robinson, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Foliage; habit
Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Feature(s); the hairs form an 'egg-beater' shape at the tips
Mic Julien, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Feature(s); Sporangia
Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
768x512
|
Plant(s);
Troy Evans, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Plant(s);
Troy Evans, , Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
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
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
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
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
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
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Damage; covering a farm pond restricts commercial and recreational use and degrades aesthetics
Ted D. Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
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
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Feature(s);
Victor Ramey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org
768x512 / 1536x1024
|
Invasive Reference(s):
Check Invasive.org for most current lists.
- Federal Noxious Weed List
- Alabama - IPC List
- Arizona - Noxious Weed Law
- California - Noxious Weed Law
- California - Invasive Plant Inventory
- Colorado - Noxious Weed Law
- Connecticut - Noxious Weed Law
- Georgia - EPPC list
- Massachusetts - Noxious Weed Law
- Mississippi - Noxious Weed Law
- Nevada - Noxious Weed Law
- North Carolina - Noxious Weed Law
- Oregon - Noxious Weed Law
- South Carolina - Noxious Weed Law
- Tennessee - Noxious Weed Law
- Texas - Invasive Plant List
- Vermont - Noxious Weed Law
- Invasive Plants: Western North America
- Invasive Plant Atlas of New England
- Invasive Plant Atlas of the Mid-South
External Links
|
|
