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Salvinia

Salvinia spp.

Other Common Names

Water Spangle, Giant Salvinia, Common Salvinia

Plant Category

Aquatic

Invasive Description

Native to South America, Salvinia is a rootless, aquatic fern. Emergent groups of leaves (fronds), grow in chains that float on the water’s surface and form dense mats. Leaves grow in pairs and are approximately 1/2 inch wide and 1 inch long. A brown, thread-like leaf hangs underwater; all join at a node along a horizontal, underwater stem.

Ecological Threat

Salvinia produces dense mats that shade out native aquatic species and reduce dissolved oxygen levels in the water. This can alter the habitats of native birds and aquatic organisms and poses a major threat to wetland habitats. Salvinia obstructs intake pipes for irrigation and its dense mats can hinder recreational and industry fishing, power production, and boating.

You may not want or need to replace this invasive plant, but if you do, options are listed below.

Salvinia is on the Texas Dept. of Agriculture’s List of Noxious Plants and on Texas Parks and Wildlife’s list of Invasive, Prohibited and Exotic species which are illegal to sell, distribute or import into Texas.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions
Additional Replacement Options: Common Duckweed (Lemna minor)