Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

Description

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.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): No

All Uses (GRIN):

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta) is a Aquatic species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data

Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Resources

• Pest Alert - USDA APHIS PPQ
• Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
• Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
• Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
• Global Invasive Species Database - Invasive Species Specialist Group
• Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service