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AquaPlantA Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae
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Water Lettuce

Pistia stratiotes

Non-Native

Water Lettuce Locations in US
Water Lettuce Locations in Southeast US

water lettuce drawing
angled side view of water lettuce
water lettuce covering water body
.

Water lettuce top view
uprooted water lettuce

water lettuce close up

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.

What is Water Lettuce?

Overview

Physical Characteristics

Tends to form floating mats that clog water ways.

Leaves:

  • Clustered on very short branches
  • Wedge- or oval-shaped
  • About 10 inches long
  • Point upward

Roots:

  • Floating plant
  • Long and submersed

Where Does it Grow?

Non-Native

Water Lettuce grows in streams, lakes, and ponds.

Is it Invasive?

Water lettuce is non-native to the United States. Water lettuce is a very aggressive invader and can form thick floating mats. If these mats cover the entire surface of the pond they can cause oxygen depletion and fish kills. Water lettuce should be controlled so they do not cover the entire pond.

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.

How to Manage This Plant
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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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