Aquatic soda apple
Quick Facts |  |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Solanum tampicense |
| Origin | Mexico, West Indies |
| Introduction | 1970s, natural colonization (?) |
| Aquatic community | Emergent |
| Habitat | Shorelines, wet soils |
| Distribution | Central Florida |
| Management effort | Eradication |
| 2010 public waters / plant acres: | 1 / 1 |
Environmental and Economic Concerns
- Growth rate similar to water hyacinth
- Harbors mosquitoes
- Mats prevent air and light diffusion into water
- killing native plants, fish and wildlife
- preventing decomposition of detritus
- Speeds sedimentation by shedding roots and shoots
- Dense mats jam against bridges and reduce water flow at flood control structures
Solanum tampicense
Solanum tampicense
Management Options | |
|---|---|
| Biological | 2 host-specific insects (ineffective to date) |
| Chemical | Diquat; occasionally copper near drinking water intakes; carfentrazone |
| Mechanical | Harvest around bridges and flood control structures |
| Physical | Occasional winter drawdowns (drying and desiccation) |
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Status of the Aquatic Plant Maintenance Program in Florida Public Waters, Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2009-2010.
Last updated: 28 November 2011