Quick Facts

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Scientific name Salvinia molesta
Origin South America
Introduction 1990s, horticulturists
Aquatic community Floating
Habitat Water surfaces, quiescent waters
Distribution N & central FL lakes, SW FL canals
Management effort Eradication in several locations
2017 public waters / plant acres 1 / 0.1
2017 Waters / acres controlled 4 (private ponds/ditches) / 1.3
Salvinia molestaSalvinia molesta

Management Options
Biological South American weevil, Cyrtobagous salviniae
Chemical Diquat, fluridone, flumioxazin, glyphosate, penoxsulam
Mechanical Not feasible in current infestations
Physical Dewatering, hand picking surviving plants after herbicide application in small pond eradication sites

Environmental and Economic Concerns

  • Grows rapidly and reproduces by vegetative fragments
  • Dense infestations block navigation, cover native plants, and clog irrigation pipes
    • wind and water movement can pile plants into mats a foot or more thick
    • thick mats hinder herbicide control – herbicides may only kill the top layer of plants
  • Reduces oxygen content in water which can lead to fish kills
  • Considered one of the world’s worst weeds
  • Under FWC eradication programs in four pond / ditch systems in Florida

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Status of the Aquatic Plant Maintenance Program in Florida Public Waters, Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2016-2017.