Water lettuce
Quick Facts |  |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pistia stratiotes |
| Origin | South America |
| Introduction | Colonial period, ship ballast (?) |
| Aquatic community | Floating |
| Habitat | Water surfaces |
| Distribution | Peninsula, rare in panhandle |
| Management effort | Maintenance control |
| 2012public waters / plant acres: | 165 / 3,719 |
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
- Increases sedimentation by shedding roots and shoots
- Dense mats jam against bridges and reduce water flow at flood control structures
Pistia stratiotes
Pistia stratiotes
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: 13 May 2013