From: Dr. David Patterson, Weed Specialist, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Salvinia molesta, a Federal Noxious Weed and a Class A State Noxious Weed has been detected in nine counties in North Carolina. These counties include Carteret, Craven, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Orange, Pitt, Sampson, and Wake. All detections to date are from aquatic dealers, aquatic nurseries, botanical gardens, or man-made ponds. Salvinia molesta has not been reported from natural water bodies or streams. This floating, aquatic fern, native to South America is an aggressive invader of freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow moving streams. It has a very high growth rate and can double its biomass in 2.2 days under favorable conditions. It forms thick mats that clog waterways, interfere with navigation, and deplete oxygen.
North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) personnel are continuing their surveys for this noxious weed. If detected, stop sales will be issued and infested material
may be destroyed. Compliance agreements may be developed with the aquatic nursery to enable the sale of other non-prohibited plant material.
For additional information on Salvinia molesta in North Carolina,
please contact the local NCDA&CS Specialist in your area or contact
Dr. David Patterson by telephone at 1-800-206-9333 or by email at
david_patterson@mail.agr.state.nc.us.
Web page last updated on January 25, 1999 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr..