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Water-Lettuce
Pistia stratiotes
PISS-tea-ah strat-ee-OH-teas
Araceae
Native to:
Worldwide in warm climates, with original nativity unclear
Florida abundance
and distribution: Throughout in lakes, rivers, and
canals
Recognition:
Resembles fuzzy lettuce plant.
Aquatic herb usually found floating with stolons bearing multiple plants
or young plantlets. Roots dangling
into the water, bluish or purplish, feathery.
Flowers inconspicuous. Leaf blades round, glossy, green, thick,
pubescent.
Other:
Heavy infestations can cause oxygen depletion and damage to aquatic
ecosystems.
Internet source:
www.plants.ifas.edu
Contributed by Sarah Lopinot
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