No one knows if Water Lettuce is native to North America or not. Most of this family is aquatic, growing along lake shores. Experts disagree as to whether water lettuce is native to the U.S.: it has been present in Florida since as early as 1765 when the explorer, William Bartram, described and drew the plant in Lake George. 1988) Date of U.S. Introduction: First described in Florida in 1765; experts disagree as to whether water lettuce is …

Dense populations may lower water levels because water-lettuce increases evaporation rates over open water areas. The Water Lettuce, Pistia stratiotes, is the only member of its genus. Water surfaces: Distribution: Peninsula, rare in panhandle: Management effort: Maintenance control: 2017 public waters / plant acres: 147 (32%) / 1,999: 2017 Waters / acres controlled: Water lettuce 27 / 344 Lettuce / hyacinth mix 153 / 24,297 Will Fish Eat Water Lettuce? Unknown, possibly South America, Africa, or the U.S. (Dray et al. Explorer and plantaholic William Bartram came through Florida in 1764/65, spied the Water Lettuce, drew it and wrote what he saw: “…prodigious quantities of the pistia, which grows in great […]

Water-lettuce populations crowd out native plants and animals (lowers biodiversity). Water Lettuce or Pistia Stratioes, is a unique floater that resembles a floating head of cabbage or lettuce. Dense water-lettuce populations produce ideal breeding environments for mosquitoes. It contains a poisonous compound, calcium oxalate, which burns the mouth and may lead to kidney damage. Thick colonies of water-lettuce block the air-water interface which reduces the amount of … Regardless, water lettuce is prohibited in the states of Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and the country of New Zealand. In appearance, as the name suggests, Water Lettuce resembles a little head of partially-opened lettuce or cabbage, with thick fuzzy grooved leaves. It is a part of the Arum family, known scientifically as Araceae. The white flowers are a fairly insignificant and appear at the base of the leaves. This floating plant commonly forms large infestations which prevent boating, fishing and other uses of lakes and rivers. Experts disagree as to whether water lettuce is a native North American plant but it was found here in the U.S. from Florida to Lake George, NY as early as 1765.

Water lettuce occurs in lakes, rivers and canals, occasionally forming l… It is found extensively in South America. Botanists disagree with some saying it’s from Africa, a few South America.

It is native elsewhere around the world too, where in … Water lettuce is toxic if ingested by small animals like pets or even children. None knownWater lettuce is a floating plant. Water-lettuce mats can restrict water flow increasing flooding along rivers and canals.

Because of its aggressive growth rate, water-lettuce is illegal to possess in Florida … The foliage of this pond plant is ribbed and velvety, and the color ranges from light green to lime-green that float peacefully on the water's surface.