giant salvinia

Plants: Aquatic
Filicopsida > 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 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.

62 records

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Image Descriptor Description Photographer
0001082 Control A Georgia DNR fisheries technician preparing to treat the infestation of giant salvinia. DNR is attempting to eradicate the plant in this location. Scott Robinson
0001083 Control A Georgia DNR fisheries technician treats the infestation of giant salvinia. DNR is attempting to eradicate the plant in this location. Scott Robinson
0001078 Control A Georgia DNR fisheries technician treats the infestation of giant salvinia. DNR is attempting to eradicate the plant in this location. Scott Robinson
0001079 Control A Georgia DNR fisheries technician treats the infestation of giant salvinia. DNR is attempting to eradicate the plant in this location. Scott Robinson
0001089 Control A Georgia DNR fisheries technician treats the infestation of giant salvinia. DNR is attempting to eradicate the plant in this location. Scott Robinson
1333003 Control Spraying a large infestation Kenneth Calcote
5274062 Feature(s) Sporangia Leslie J. Mehrhoff
0002106 Feature(s)

the hairs form an 'egg-beater' shape at the tips

Mic Julien
5391745 Feature(s)

"eggbeater" shaped leaf features

Barry Rice
5349043 Feature(s) Victor Ramey
5399578 Feature(s)

sporocarp

Robert Vidéki
5399579 Feature(s)

sporocarp

Robert Vidéki
5399580 Feature(s)

sporocarp

Robert Vidéki
5399581 Feature(s)

sporocarp

Robert Vidéki
5399594 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5391744 Foliage Barry Rice
5396833 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5397954 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5397955 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399567 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399568 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399569 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399570 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399571 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399572 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399573 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399574 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399575 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5399576 Foliage Robert Vidéki
5162007 Foliage habit Forest & Kim Starr
1148172 Foliage USDA APHIS PPQ Archive
5399577 Fruit(s) Robert Vidéki
0001081 Infestation Scott Robinson
1299180 Infestation Randy Westbrooks
1333010 Infestation A large infestation in Mississippi. Photo taken Aug 12, 2004. See photo# 1333011 for picture of infestation 41 days later. Kenneth Calcote
1333011 Infestation A large infestation in Mississippi. Photo taken Sept 22, 2004. See photo# 1333010 for picture of infestation 41 days earlier. Kenneth Calcote
1929036 Infestation

covering a water-body and supporting the growth of other plant species in Kakadu National Park, Australia

Mic Julien
0002132 Infestation

covering a farm pond restricts commercial and recreational use and degrades aesthetics

Ted D. Center
0001091 Infestation Scott Robinson
0001092 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
0001084 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. These pictures was taken in early December 1999. Scott Robinson
0001087 Infestation Giant salvinia plants went over this low head dam. Plants and plant fragments were found as far as a mile downstream and may have travelled farther. Scott Robinson
0002103 hairs Mic Julien
0002104 the hairs form an 'egg-beater' shape at the tips Mic Julien
0002107 hairs Mic Julien
1148121 Plant(s) USDA APHIS PPQ Archive
1148171 Plant(s) USDA APHIS PPQ Archive
0001088 Plant(s) closeup with quarter for size reference Scott Robinson
0001090 Plant(s) Close up of giant salvinia plants Scott Robinson
0001080 Plant(s) Scott Robinson
1929037 Plant(s) primary form Mic Julien
1929038 Plant(s) secondary form Mic Julien
1929039 Plant(s) tertiary form Mic Julien
5079041 Plant(s) Troy Evans
5079042 Plant(s) Troy Evans
5274061 Plant(s) Leslie J. Mehrhoff
5274063 Plant(s) Leslie J. Mehrhoff
1317055 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
1149062 Plant(s) USDA APHIS PPQ Archive
5391743 Plant(s) Barry Rice
1355040 Research Entomologist Philip Tipping collects samples of common salvinia at the Loxahatchee wildlife refuge in Florida. Peggy Greb
1355041 Research Here, in a greenhouse, Student Conservation Association intern Melissa Martin and entomologist Philip Tipping record giant salvinia biomass. Peggy Greb


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