Pistia

Pistia

Taxobox
name = "Pistia stratiotes"



image_width = 250px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Alismatales
familia = Araceae
genus = "Pistia" L.
species = "P. stratiotes"
binomial = "Pistia stratiotes"
binomial_authority = L.

"Pistia" is a genus of aquatic plant in the family Araceae, comprising a single species, "Pistia stratiotes", often called water cabbage or water lettuce. Its native distribution is uncertain, but probably pantropical; it was first described from the Nile near Lake Victoria in Africa. It is now present, either naturally or through human introduction, in nearly all tropical and subtropical fresh waterways.

It floats on the surface of the water its roots hanging submersed beneath floating leaves. It is a perennial monocotyledon with thick, soft leaves that form a rosette. The leaves can be up to 14 cm long and have no stem. They are light green, with parallel veins, wavy margins and are covered in short hairs which form basket-like structures which trap air bubbles, increasing the plant's buoyancy. The flowers are dioecious, and are hidden in the middle of the plant amongst the leaves. Small green berries form after successful fertilization. The plant can also undergo asexual reproduction. Mother and daughter plants are connected by a short stolon, forming dense mats.

The growth habit can make it a weed in waterways. It is a common aquatic weed in the United States, particularly in Florida where it may clog waterways. It has the potential to reduce the biodiversity of a waterway. Mats of "Pistia" block gas exchange at the air-water interface, reducing the oxygen in the water and killing fish. They also block light, killing native submerged plants, and alter immersed plant communities by crushing them.

"Pistia" can be controlled by mechanical harvestors that remove the water lettuce from the water and transport it to disposal on shore. Aquatic herbicides may also be used. Two insects are also being used as a biological control. Adults and larvae of the South American weevil, "Neohydronomous affinis" feed on "Pistia" leaves, and the larvae of moth "Spodoptera pectinicornis" from Thailand. Both are proving to be useful tools in the management of "Pistia".

Water lettuce is often used in tropical aquariums to provide cover for fry and small fish. It is also helpful as it outcompetes algae for nutrients in the water, thereby preventing massive algal blooms.

External links

* [http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/pistpic.html Centre for Aquatic and Invasive Plants]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pistia — stratiotes Pistia stratiotes …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Pistĭa — (P. L.), Pflanzengattung aus der Familie der Aroideae Araceae Pistiaceae, Monadelphie, Oktandrie L.; Art: P. stratiotes, auf dem Wasser schwimmend, mit rosenartig zusammengestellten, verkehrt herzförmigen Blättern, weißer Blüthenscheibe; in… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Pistĭa — L. (Muschelblume), Gattung der Arazeen, schwimmende Wasserpflanzen mit sehr verkürzten Internodien, spiralig geordneten, rundlichen, spatel oder zungenförmigen, behaarten, vor der Blüte dem Wasser aufliegenden, später ausgerichteten Blättern und… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Pistia —   Pistia stratiotes …   Wikipedia Español

  • Pistia — Wassersalat Pistia stratiotes im Gartenteich Systematik Klasse: Einkeimblättrige (Liliopsida) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • pistia — noun pantropical floating plant forming a rosette of wedge shaped leaves; a widespread weed in rivers and lakes • Syn: ↑water lettuce, ↑water cabbage, ↑Pistia stratiotes, ↑Pistia stratoites • Hypernyms: ↑aquatic plant, ↑water plant, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Pistia — ID 64268 Symbol Key PISTI Common Name pistia Family Araceae Category Monocot Division Magnoliophyta US Nativity N/A US/NA Plant Yes State Distribution AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, KS, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PR, SC, TX, VI Growth Habit …   USDA Plant Characteristics

  • Pistia L. — Symbol PISTI Common Name pistia Botanical Family Araceae …   Scientific plant list

  • Pistia stratiotes — Pistia stratiotes …   Wikipédia en Français

  • PISTIA STRATIOTES L. - ВОДЯНОЙ ЛАТУК — см. 163. Многолетнее растение. P. stratiotes L. Водяной латук Fl. Zeyl. (1747) 152, n. 322; Sp. pl. (1953) 963. Engler 73 (1920) 251, f. Burkill (1935) 1756. S у n. Pistia crispata Bl.; P. minor Bl.; P. cumingii Klotzsch. М е с т н. н а з в. Англ …   Справочник растений

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