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    Center For Aquatic And Invasive Plants

    Center For Aquatic And Invasive Plants

    Section 1 - Header
    • plants.ifas.ufl.edu
    • Why Manage Plants
    • Florida's Invasive Aquatic Plants
    • Water lettuce

    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
    • 2020 Acres Treated: 25,266*
      (*acres of water hyacinth and water lettuce combined)

    Water lettuceWater lettuce


    thumbnail image

    Environmental and Economic Concerns

    • Growth rate similar to water hyacinth – can double in a few weeks
    • Reproduce by seeds and stolons
    • Harbors mosquitoes
    • Dense mats prevent air and light diffusion into water, consume oxygen
      • displacing native plants, fish and wildlife
      • preventing decomposition of detritus
    • Increases sedimentation by shedding roots, leaves and shoots
    • Rapid dispersal by wind and water movement
    • Mats jam against bridges and reduce water flow at flood control structures
    • Reduces property values and local tax revenues

    Management Options

    • Biological: 2 host-specific insects (ineffective to date)
    • Chemical: Diquat, flumioxazin; carfentrazone Occasionally copper near drinking water intakes
    • Mechanical: Harvest around bridges and flood control structures
    • Physical: Occasional winter drawdowns (drying and desiccation)

    Data compiled from "What’s Happening on my Lake" by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

     

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    (352) 392-9613

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