The single species it comprises, Pistia stratiotes, is often called water cabbage, water lettuce, Nile cabbage, or shellflower. Its native distribution is uncertain but is probably pantropical; it was first …

Dec 5, 2025 · Water lettuce forms dense mats that clog waterways making boating, fishing, and other water activities, impossible. These mats also degrade water quality by blocking the air-water …

“Pistia stratiotes is a free-floating, fast growing, obligate aquatic that can form vast, dense floating mats, covering the entire water surface of lakes and slow moving rivers (Langeland and Burks 1998).

Feb 11, 2025 · Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a popular aquatic plant chosen to add texture and visual interest to water gardens or ponds but it can be invasive.

Pistia stratiotes, commonly called water lettuce, is a free-floating, frost-tender aquatic perennial that is commonly used as an ornamental plant in water gardens. It produces rosettes (4-6” across) of …

Male flowers surround a female flower. A roughly 10 in. wide rosette of spongy, velvety, deeply veined lime green leaves that are whitish green on the underside. Intense burning and swelling of lips, …

Pistia stratiotes (Water Lettuce) is a free-floating, aquatic perennial forming small rosettes, 4-6 in. across (10-15 cm) of velvety, soft green, deeply veined leaves.

Aug 17, 2020 · Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) care, facts, planting, hardiness and growing advice. How to properly care and plant water lettuce in garden ponds.

The native range of this species is Tropics & Subtropics. It is a helophyte and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. It is used as animal food and a medicine, has environmental uses and for fuel and food.

Dec 22, 2024 · Water lettuce, water cabbage, nile cabbage or Pistia stratiotes is a perennial monocotyledonous plant and the only species in the genus belongs to the family of Araceae. It is …