Appearance

Giant salvinias are a group of free-floating ferns native to South America. Species include Salvinia molestaS. auriculataS. biloba and S. herzogii. They have been spread to the tropics and subtropics, moved in part by the trade-in ornamental plants for fish tanks and ponds. Each plant has an internode, a node, a pair of floating leaves, the submerged or root, and associated buds. The root is actually a modified leaf that looks and functions like a root.

Foliage

Giant salvinias have a horizontal rhizome just beneath the water surface. On the abaxial leaf surface are hairs that are divided but joined at the tips of the hairs. These hairs have an egg-beater-like appearance.

Reproduction

Giants salvinias reproduce by buds, both apical and axillary.

Ecological Threat

Giant salvinia forms dense mats over lakes and slow-moving rivers and causes large economic losses and a wide range of ecological problems to native species and communities. It can impede access to and use of waterways for commercial and recreational purposes. Mats of giant salvinia can reduce habitats for game birds and limit access to fishing areas. Salvinia can clog water intake pipes and interfere with agricultural irrigation and water supply.

Citations

Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Southeast. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-05. Retrieved from http://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-05_New%20Invaders_SE.pdf
 

Selected Images



Maps



State Regulated List

State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.

Taxonomic Rank


Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta
Class: Filicopsida
Order: Salviniales
Family: Salviniaceae
Genus: Salvinia Séguier
Salvinia auriculata Aublet

Synonyms and Other Names


Other Common Names:
eared watermoss

Related Scientific Names:
Salvinia rotundifolia Aublet (Synonym)

Categories


Plants - Aquatic Plants