Water Lettuce
Pistia stratiotes
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Borneo, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burundi, Cabinda, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Galápagos, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Laos, Leeward Is., Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Maldives, Mali, Maluku, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tog
Syariful Msth
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Araceae
- Genus:
- Pistia
- Species:
- Pistia stratiotes
- USDA Symbol:
- PIST2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Elophila obliteralis, Salvinia stem-borer moth (Samea multiplicalis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- fish, waterfowl, invertebrates
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- nutrient-rich, silty or clayey soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in slow-moving or stagnant water bodies
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm, wet conditions; primarily propagates vegetatively via stolons.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI