Salvinia

(Salvinia minima)

Non-Native

Salvinia is a free-floating aquatic fern.

Description

Salvinia is a fern-like plant with no flowers. It is stemless and the leaves underwater are modified into root-like structures that branch horizontally. Salvinia’s leaves have two small lobes that whorl opposite of each other to create an oblong shape. Usually its fronds have two leaves above the surface and one below. The leaves are light to medium green. The entire plant is less than one inch in depth. In a mature plant, you might see brown around the edges of the leaves. Salvinia can be found free-floating or in mud.

Location

Salvinia can be found in the southern Untied States and a few northeastern states.

Propagation

Spores or fragmentation