Salvinia minima
Non-Native
Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.
What is Common Salvinia?
Physical Characteristics
Leaves:
Stem:
- Essentially stemless with some leaves as roots
Fruiting Body:
- Soft, thin walls
- 2 or more on a common stalk at the base of leaves
Roots:
- Branched horizontal root bearing simple roots
Where Does it Grow?
USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Non-Native
Common salvinia can be found free-floating or in mud.
Is it Invasive?
Underwater the leaves are modified into small root-like structures. The entire plant is only about 1 inch in depth. Salvinias are ferns and have no flower. Common salvinia can reproduce by spores or by fragmentation and is an aggressive invasive species. If colonies of common salvinia cover the surface of the water, then oxygen depletion and fish kills can occur. These plants should be controlled.
This is a non-native plant that should not be grown as it is invasive and illegal to possess or transport this species in Texas. Please report sightings to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (512) 389-4800.