Water Lettuce

Water Lettuce is a floating herb in rosette of grey-green leaves. Each rosette has numerous roots that can appear feathery. Leaves are often spongey near the base of the rosette and have very obvious parallel veins. One rosette can grow up to 30cm across.

Pistia stratiotes can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats although the general impression is that it prefers relatively stagnant water such as: wetlands, ponds, dams and lakes.

This plant reproduces vegetatively, by developing new plants along its runners (i.e. stolons), and also by seed.

The seeds float and are therefore most commonly dispersed by water. Entire rosettes may also be spread by water and wind movement and by boats. They are also commonly dispersed in dumped aquarium or garden waste.

Pistia stratiotes has often been grown as an ornamental in lakes, ponds, aquaria and gardens. It is often used in tropical aquariums to provide cover for fry and small fish. It has medicinal properties and can be used as fodder for cattle and pigs. It can be beneficial in certain instances as it outcompetes algae for nutrients in the water, thereby preventing massive algal blooms. However, these uses cannot compensate for this plant’s overall negative impacts.