Giant Salvinia - Texas Coorperative Extension

An Overview of Ginat Salvinia

In ponds, lakes, and reservoirs from North Carolina to Hawaii, a stealthy invader called giant salvinia is making an unwanted appearance. This free-floating fern has earned a reputation as one of the world's worst aquatic weeds—and with good reason. When conditions are right, salvinia's small, oval leaves form dense mats—green, yellow-green, or brown—that can easily double in size in just a few days.
Sometimes 2 feet thick or more, the mats can cover the surface of an entire pond or small lake, blocking out sunlight that other plants need. And the mats use up oxygen that fish, insects, and other aquatic dwellers require.
Giant salvinia, or Salvinia molesta, is a bother to humans as well. It ruins conditions for fishing, boating, and waterskiing. The weed also clogs irrigation and electrical generating systems.

Click here to request a DVD or VHS copy of the Salvinia video produced by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

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