Plant DetailShow Menu

Water Cabbage Pistia stratiotes

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
PIS-tee-ah stra-tee-OH-tays
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Water lettuce is a floating aquatic poisonous plant.  Its leaves spread in a rosette on the water surface, which inhibits algae growth.  This spongy, rounded plant has conspicuously indented main veins.  It grows in still waters of ponds, ditches, swamps, and slow-moving streams and features feathery roots.

This plant will deplete oxygen levels and kill fish.  It forms large dense mats of plant matter which hinders boating, fishing, and other lake and river activities.

This plant can be invasive; remove unwanted growth.  It can be very invasive in locations with year-round warm temperatures and high humidity. It is sometimes used in aquariums.  In colder climates, it survives by reseeding itself.

Water lettuce is toxic if eaten in large quantities.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant is listed as invasive in NY, WI, CA and FL and is on watch lists in MI and other states

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#high maintenance#stream banks#aggressive#spadix#pond garden#lakes#dense growth#perennial#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#poisonous#high maintenance#stream banks#aggressive#spadix#pond garden#lakes#dense growth#perennial#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pistia
    Species:
    stratiotes
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, USA
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Water Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Inconspicuous fruits
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Insignificant
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    Inconspicuous flowers that grow in the centr of the leaf rosettes. Male flowers surround a female flower
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    A roughly 10 in. wide rosette of spongy, velvety, deeply veined lime green leaves that are whitish green on the underside.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    Intense burning and swelling of lips, tongue, and throat. Nausea vomiting and diarrhea may also occur when eaten in large quantities.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate crystals plus unknown toxins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots