Salvinia Molesta AKA Giant Salvinia

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My first introduction to this destructive invasive plant was at Caddo Lake in Texas.  This plant can have serious impacts on wetland areas and ecosystems.  It can cover lakes in thick dense mats which stops light penetration and depletes oxygen.  Fish will either migrate to more oxgenated water or die.   This can affect the the economy and local tourism.  My favorite place to stay when I visit Caddo is Uncertain, Texas.  Cabins along the lake shore were difficult to reach because the roads were often underwater - this resulted in the name "Uncertain". 



Lake front property with lake view??? (water hyacith)

  This small towns economy is based on tourism.  It is a great place to fish, hunt ducks, canoe, kayak, ride a paddle boat or just relax and enjoy the numerous birds and other wildlife. Cabins can be rented and many backwater tours are provided by knowledgeable tour guides.  The lively hood of the people that provide these services depends on this unique ecosystem.  The lake has already been struggling with other invasive plants such as hydrilla, alligator weed, and water hyacinth.  Local people living on the have banded together to fight the invasion and infestation of these destructive plants. This is their home and they will fight to save the lake.

Ah? What happend to the lake???

However, Salvinia is very destructive and impossible to get rid of once it is established.  The introduction of this invasive started on the Louisiana side of the lake.  Due the last hurricane, the state of Louisana did not have the money to fight this infestation and it took over and spread to the Texas side.

Caddo Lake Fence

Local residents built a fence across the lake to help stop the spread of Salvinia.  It worked for a while but eventially Salvinia spread into Texas.  This plant is so difficult to get rid off because it is small and hides among the water hyacinth, water lily, lotus, alligatorweed and cypress trees. The "eggbeater" hairs on the surface of the leaf may die when sprayed with pesticides but the underpart of the plant survives.  Care must be used when leaving lakes infested with this plant.  

Herbicides are most commonly used to stop invasive infestation.

"egg beater hairs"

It is important that visitors to lake with invasive plants are very careful when leaving the lake.  Be sure to check boat, trailors, props or anything that has been in the water.   Don't carry these plants with you to other lakes.  

SAVE TEXAS LAKES!

DON'T TRANSPORT INVASIVE PLANTS

DON'T TRANSPORT ZEBRA MUSSELS