Salvinia

(Salvinia molesta)
Salvinia, photo: Barry Rice

Status of salvinia in Tasmania
  • Salvinia is a declared weed in Tasmania under the Tasmanian Biosecurity Act 2019 and associated Regulations. The importation, sale and distribution of salvinia are prohibited in Tasmania.
  • The legal responsibilities of landholders and other stakeholders in dealing with salvinia are laid out in the Salvinia Weed Management Plan.

What does salvinia look like?

  • Salvinia is a free-floating aquatic herb. The leaf size varies depending the density of plants, ranging from 0.5 to 3 cm long. The leaves are covered in small water-repelling hairs that also provide buoyancy. The leaf margins are darker coloured. The roots are fine divided modified leaves. The spore sacs which develop among the roots resemble bunches of grapes. Dense mats of salvinia can completely cover the water surface.
  • Fertile spores have never been found and all spread is by vegetative means. The early juvenile form of the plant is the invasive form. Spread occurs when plant fragments are moved in flood waters. Salvinia is also spread via the ornamental plant trade.
Salvinia, photo: CDFA Salvinia, photo: CDFA
Image top: Salvinia, © Barry Rice.
Image above L-R: Salvinia in waterway; Salvinia leaves and spore sacs, © CDFA.

Impacts of salvinia

  • Salvinia is a serious weed of irrigation channels, natural waterways and wetlands.

Where does salvinia occur

  • Salvinia is a native of South America. Salvinia has naturalised in New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
  • Salvinia has not naturalised in Tasmania.

What you need to do

  • If you locate salvinia anywhere in Tasmania, or if you find a plant that you think could be salvinia, immediately contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 to report this weed.

See also
Salvinia Weed Management Plan
Weed Links and Resources

Other useful links
Pest Genie
APVMA
Weeds in Australia - Weed Management Guide


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