|
|
Article: Attack on Giant Salvinia. (Cover Story).(descrption of salvinia ferns)
- Article from:
- Agricultural Research
- Article date:
- November 1, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 U.S. Government Printing Office. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
In ponds, lakes, and reservoirs from North Carolina to Hawaii, a stealthy invader called giant salvinia is making an unwanted appearance. This free-floating fern has earned a reputation as one of the world's worst aquatic weeds--and with good reason. When conditions are right, salvinia's small, oval leaves form dense mats--green, yellow-green, or brown--that can easily double in size in just a few days.
Sometimes 2 feet thick or more, the mats can cover the surface of an entire pond or small lake, blocking out sunlight that other plants need. And the mats use up oxygen that fish, insects, and other aquatic dwellers require.
Giant salvinia, or Salvinia ...