Pistia stratiotes
Water lettuce

Non-Native in Florida?

Water lettuce is a floating plant. Experts disagree as to whether water lettuce is a native or has been introduced. Water lettuce occurs in lakes, rivers and canals, occasionally forming large dense mats.

As its name implies, water lettuce resembles a floating open head of lettuce. Water lettuce has very thick leaves. The leaves are light dull green, are hairy, and are ridged. There are no leaf stalks. Water lettuce roots are light-colored and feathery. Its flowers are inconspicuous.

Much more water lettuce information and pictures are here


Here is the Acrobat .PDF file of the water lettuce chapter from the book, Identification & Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas


The UF/IFAS Assessment lists plants according to their invasive status in Florida. View the list here.

Click here to see the herbarium specimen image of the UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HERBARIUM DIGITAL IMAGING PROJECTS.

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