Toledo Bend
Bi-State
Alliance

Last Seen: Houston, Texas Area

Description: Salvinia molesta is a free-floating aquatic fern with irregularly branched stems and an absence of roots. Its leaves, which are actually fronds, are in whorls of three; two floating and one submerged. The opposite floating leaves are round to oblong, 20mm long and 13mm wide, with stiff, tiny water resistant hairs above and wettable hairs beneath. Submersed leaves are finely dissected into linear segments, which resemble and function as modified roots. Fruiting bodies or sporocarps are in clusters along the submersed leaves. As with other fern allies, the Salvinia species have two distinct kinds of spores, megaspores or female spores and microspores or male spores.

Normal Hangout: Generally found in still fresh water areas such as ponds, lakes, canals, and drainage ditches.

Crime: Native Asian plant that can become Texas' next major aquatic plant problem species. Rapid establishment by spore reproduction and plant separation can cause severe navigational, irrigational. and recreational problems. Federal and state laws prohibit the importation, transportation, and cultivation of this Species. Limited control through herbicide usage.

NOTE: According to Colette Jacono, Botanist, U.S. Geological Survey, Giant Salvinia Education Committee Chair: "Please note that Salvinia molesta is not known to reproduce by spores. It reproduces vegetatively, that is, new plants develop as fragments break off from mature individuals."   This note has been inserted into the original document furnished by S.R.A. by the webmaster

IF SEEN CALL STATE AGENTS RHANDY HELTON OR LARRY HARTMAN AT 409.384.9965 OR FEDERAL AGENT DR. MICHAEL SMART AT 972.436.2215.

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