|
Scientific Name |
Pistia stratiotes L. |
|
Common Name |
Waterlettuce |
|
Family |
Araceae (Arum) |
|
Class |
Monocot |
|
Description |
Floating rosette species, leaves with dense hairs, vegetatively
reproduces by daughter plant formation; flowers inconspicuous |
|
US Distribution |
Coastal plain from Florida to Texas |
|
Worldwide Distribution |
Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide; native to Amazon basin,
South America |
|
Ecology |
Floating mat to rooted in moist soil |
|
Economic Importance |
Major nuisance species in tropical and subtropical regions |
|
Ecological Importance |
Major negative impact to subtropical and tropical aquatic ecosystems |
|
Notes |
Less cold tolerant than waterhyacinth, restricted to the warmest
subtropical regions |
