Learn & Explore/Species/Introduced & Invasive/Giant Salvinia
Giant Salvinia
Category: Invasive
A fast-spreading floating fern that harms native aquatic life by blocking sunlight and oxygen.
Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)
-
Free floating aquatic fern 1
-
Horizontal stem floats below water surface and produces three leaves from each node 1
Habitat
-
Prefers slow moving water, most commonly found in lakes, canals, and rice paddies 2
-
Does well in nutrient rich environments 2
Impacts & Concern
-
Overgrows and replaces native plants 1
-
Consumes dissolved oxygen needed by fish and other aquatic life 1
-
Thick mats block sunlight from entering water, reduce water flow, and impede navigation 1
Introduction
-
First introduced as an ornamental aquatic plant 1
-
Spread quickly by boats, fishing equipment, and other recreational gear 1
Distribution in Hawai‘i
-
Kauaʻi: Present
-
O‘ahu: Present
-
Molokaʻi: Not documented
-
Lānaʻi: Not documented
-
Maui: Not documented
-
Hawaiʻi Island: Not documented
Related AIS Team Management Projects
Kauaʻi Salvinia molesta eradication project.
References and Further Reading
-
Thayer, D.D., Pfingsten, I.A., Jacono, C.C., Richerson, M.M., Howard, V. (2021) Salvinia molesta Mitchell: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL. https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=298
-
CABI. (2019) Salvinia molesta. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. March 22, 2021, from https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/48447.
