
Mechanical control
- Removal by hand or machine is a practical control method often used for small areas, or when weed numbers are low.
- Mechanical control can take advantage of flooding or water flushes that deposit salvinia in dams, lagoons and calm waters of rivers and creeks. ...
- Salvinia can survive for long periods out of water when it is deposited on moist banks. ...
How do you get rid of Salvinia?
Management alternatives for salvinia include the three traditional weed management methods: mechanical, chemical, and biological control. Mechanical shredders for control of salvinia are not effective because the plant reproduces vegetatively and any plant part with a bud can form new plants.
How does Salvinia molesta kill fish?
Salvinia molesta grows on the surface of water and normally the vegetation is welcomed by aquatic invertebrates but if colonies of giant salvinia cover the surface of the water, then oxygen depletions and fish kills can occur. These colonies will also eliminate submerged plants by blocking sunlight penetration.
Are there any biological control agents for Salvinia molesta?
salviniaethan S. molesta(Oosterhout et al., 2006). Description of Other Biological Control Agents for Salvinia molesta Samea multiplicalis is a moth that feeds on both S. molesta and E. crassipes (water hyacinth) and is native to Brazil (Driesche et al., 2002). These are the two most noxious aquatic invasive plants in the world.
Where do you plant Salvinia molesta?
Salvinia molesta prefers tropical, sub-tropical or warm temperate areas of the world and grows best in still or slow-moving water bodies including ditches, ponds, lakes, slow rivers and canals. In standing water it forms stable floating mats.

How do you stop salvinia?
Liquid glyphosate formulations have been effective on salvinia above the water line, but ineffective on plants in the water. They are broad spectrum, systemic herbicides. Systemic herbicides are absorbed and move within the plant to the site of action.
How do I get rid of salvinia minima?
Salvinia can be removed by raking or seining it from the pond's surface, but it will re-establish from any remaining fragments.
Is salvinia an invasive plant?
Giant salvinia, Salvinia molesta, is an invasive aquatic weed from South America with the potential to do serious harm to U.S. waterways. A free-floating fern, S. molesta was first found in South Carolina in 1995.
Why is salvinia a problem?
Giant salvinia grows rapidly to cover the surface of lakes and streams, spreading aggressively by vegetative fragments. It forms floating mats that shade and crowd out important native plants. Thick mats reduce oxygen content and degrade water quality for fish and other aquatic organisms.
What is salvinia good for?
Benefits of Salvinia Auriculata Shelter / Cover: It provides cover/shade for aquatic species that prefer low lighting conditions. For example, its submerged root-like leaves provide hiding spots for fry and juvenile fish.
Do Grass carp eat salvinia?
Grass carp will consume salvinia, but are usually not effective for total control. Chemical control measures include :carfentrazone, diquat, fluridone, flumioxazin, glyphosate, imazamox, and penoxsulam.
Is Salvinia molesta quarantine?
BPI Administrative Order No. D-1: Declaring Salvinia molesta, D.S. Mitshell as a noxious weed and placing under quarantine the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo; in the Island of Panay; the sub-province of Guimaras and Negros Island, to prevent its spread to other areas in the Philippines.
What causes salvinia?
Salvinia is a weed of still and slow-flowing fresh water. It is very adaptable and will survive in many climates, although low temperatures will reduce its growth rate. It can withstand an occasional frost, but persistent low temperatures and frosts will kill the exposed portions of plants.
How is Salvinia molesta invasive?
molesta forms chains of leaves that run together to form thick mats on the surface of the water. These mats restrict oxygen and light availability causing death of the primary producers and disrupting the aquatic food chain. S. molesta is on the Federal Noxious Weed list and can invade most any type of aquatic system.
What is salvinia infestation?
As salvinia develops, the young flat leaves (primary form) grow larger and start to fold (secondary form). The salvinia leaves get larger and more folded (tertiary form) and large infestations form dense mats which can completely cover the surface of the water.
What salvinia looks like?
Salvinia molesta is a free-floating aquatic fern native to Brazil. The two leaves above the water surface are oblong and are about . 5 to 1.5 inches in length. Underwater there is one leaf that is modifies modified into small root-like structures.
How does salvinia grow?
Giant salvinia grows rapidly to cover the surface of lakes and streams, spreading aggressively by vegetative fragments. It forms floating mats that shade and crowd out important native plants. Thick mats reduce oxygen content and degrade water quality for fish and other aquatic organisms.
How long does it take salvinia minima to grow?
This plant is capable of growing fast and forming new shoots in record time. Under optimal conditions, it can easily double and triple in size in 7 – 10 days.
How fast does salvinia Auriculata grow?
Growth Rate: High - Compared to other plants. Height: 3-5cm - Average height of the plant after two months in the aquarium.
How does the giant salvinia reproduce?
Underwater, the leaves are modified into small root-like structures. Giant salvinia has sporangia, but are thought to reproduce only by fragmentation.
What is dwarf water lettuce?
Dwarf water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is an herbaceous perennial plant that thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. The plant was first discovered along the Nile River, leading to its affectionate nickname of the “Nile Plant.” However, it's quite abundant all over the world!
Non-Herbicide Management Options
Salvinia can be removed by raking or seining it from the pond’s surface, but it will re-establish from any remaining fragments.
Herbicide Control Options
Always read the product label for directions and precautions, as the label is the law. Click on the name of the product to see the label. Read the label for specific water use restrictions.
Cultivation Options
This is a non-native plant that should not be grown as it is invasive and illegal to possess or transport this species in Texas. Please report sightings to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (512) 389-4800.
What are the problems with S. molesta plants?
concerns. S. molesta plants grow in stagnant and slow moving water which are ideal . breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other insects that are vectors to some of the most . infectious diseases in the world, such as malaria, encephalitis, dengue fever, and rural .
Is manual removal best for primary growth?
Manual removal is only best with primary growth forms because . secondary and tertiary forms are too overcrowded for laborers to manually remove. Although mechanical and chemical removal work well with all growth types, the best . methods of removal are combinations of two or more methods (Sullivan and Postle, .
What is the habitat of Salvinia Molesta?
Salvinia molesta prefers tropical, sub-tropical or warm temperate areas of the world and grows best in still or slow-moving water bodies including ditches, ponds, lakes, slow rivers and canals. In standing water it forms stable floating mats.
Where does Salvinia Molesta grow?
Origin: Brazil and northern Argentina. Salvinia molesta is native to southeastern Brazil and northern Argentina. It grows year round and has been found in north, central and southwest Florida where it is quickly eradicated when found. Giant salvinia grows rapidly and produces a dense floating canopy on the surface of ponds, lakes, and rivers.
How does S. molesta get released?
It may be cultivated by aquarium and pond owners and is sometimes released by flooding or intentional dumping. S. molesta can form dense vegetation mats that reduce water-flow and lower the light and oxygen levels in the water.
Selected Resources
The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Giant Salvinia.
Citations
Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Salvinia molesta. [Accessed Sep 10, 2014].
Introduced Plants, Negative Effects of
Ferns are rarely successful weeds in natural ecosystems, but a notable exception is Salvinia molesta (kariba weed, African pyle, Australian azolla, water fern, giant azolla), a free-floating perennial aquatic fern native to tropical and subtropical areas of South America.
Species Coexistence
Very effective control agents can, after introduction, eliminate the target species (and thus themselves) over broad areas. The floating fern Salvinia molesta from Brazil escaped from a garden in Sri Lanka and became a serious aquatic pest in much of the Old World wet tropics.
Genetic Improvement and Other Genetic Considerations for Improving the Efficacy and Success Rate of Biological Control
M.J. WHITTEN, MARJORIE A. HOY, in Handbook of Biological Control, 1999
Invasive Plants
Many invasive plant taxa have transformed the structure and function of ecosystems by changing, for example, disturbance- or nutrient-cycling regimes.
What is Salvinia Molesta?
Salvinia molesta belongs to a group of closely related Neotropical species that share the feature of eggbeater type hairs (Mitchell 1972; Mitchell 1979).
What is the difference between Salvinia Molesta and Sporocarps?
Although subtle differences have been found among the members of the group, sporocarps are generally needed to tell these species apart (Forno 1983; Mitchell 1972). Sporocarps develop in elongated chains among the submersed leaves. Salvinia molesta is known for its egg-shaped sporocarps that end in a slender point.
Is S. molesta sterile?
Being a pentaploid species, S. molesta demonstrates irregularities during meiosis that prevent spore formation and result in functionally sterile plants ( Loyal and Gre wal 1966; Mitchell 1979).
Can Salvinia molesta withstand ice?
Salvinia molesta demonstrates tolerance to freezing air temperature, but cannot withstand ice formation on the water surface except when dense mats protect the underlying plants (Whiteman and Room 1991). Salvinia molesta is strictly a freshwater species, not tolerating brackish or marine environments.
How does Salvinia Molesta spread?
Like most other aquatic plants and animals Salvinia molesta is able to be spread within the states by portions of the plant catching on boats and those boats going to new water sources. Salvinia molesta will continue to spread until.
What is the ecological threat of salvinia molesta?
Salvinia molesta grows on the surface of water and normally the vegetation is welcomed by aquatic invertebrates but if colonies of giant salvinia cover the surface of the water, then oxygen depletions and fish kills can occur.
How deep is Salvinia Molesta?
Salvinia molesta is a free-floating aquatic fern native to Brazil. The two leaves above the water surface are oblong and are about .5 to 1.5 inches in length. Underwater there is one leaf that is modifies modified into small root-like structures. The entire plant is only about 1 to 2 inch in depth.
What is the good news about managing giant salvinia?
Management. The good news about managing giant salvinia is that control has been demonstrated without the use of toxic chemicals. In tropical parts of Australia, India, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, and Botswana, introductions of the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae suppressed populations of this aquatic weed. Eradication of big infestations generally ...
Do salvinias have direct food value?
Overall, the salvinias have no known direct food value to wildlife and is considered an exotic and highly undesirable species.
Is Giant Salvinia illegal in Texas?
Fish and Wildlife Service at Caddo Lake on the border of Northwest Teas and Northeast Louisiana. Being a serious threat to native Texas plants, Giant Salvinia is not allowed in the state of Texas. It is illegal to possess or transport this species in Texas.

Non-Herbicide Management Options
- 1. Physical Management Options
Giant salvinia can be removed by raking or seining it from the pond’s surface, but it will re-establish from any remaining fragments. - 2. Biological Management Options
Salvina weevils feed on salvina and may be effective for its management.
Herbicide Control Options
- Always read the product label for directions and precautions, as the label is the law. Click on the name of the product to see the label. Read the label for specific water use restrictions. The active ingredients that have been successful in treating salvinia include: 1. Carfentrazone (Rated: Good) 2. Copper Complexes (Rated: Good) 3. Diquat (Rated: Good) 4. Fluridone (Rated: Excellent) 5. Flu…
Cultivation Options
- This is a non-native plant that should not be grown as it is invasive and illegal to possess or transport this species in Texas. Please report sightings to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (512) 389-4800.
Non-Herbicide Management Options
- 1. Physical Management Options
Salvinia can be removed by raking or seining it from the pond’s surface, but it will re-establish from any remaining fragments. - 2. Biological Management Options
Salvina weevils feed on salvina and may be effective for its management.
Herbicide Control Options
- Always read the product label for directions and precautions, as the label is the law. Click on the name of the product to see the label. Read the label for specific water use restrictions. The active ingredients that have been successful in treating salvinia include: 1. Carfentrazone (Rated: Good) 2. Copper Complexes (Rated: Good) 3. Diquat (Rated: Good) 4. Fluridone (Rated: Excellent) 5. Flu…
Cultivation Options
- This is a non-native plant that should not be grown as it is invasive and illegal to possess or transport this species in Texas. Please report sightings to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (512) 389-4800.