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Pistia stratiotes

Family Name:	Araceae
Common Name:	Water Lettuce, Kiamfang, Water-Bonnet, Nile Cabbage, Shell-Flower, 水浮莲, 大萍

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Lots of Water

Ornamental Leaves

Shallow Media

Aquatic

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Floating Aquatic)
Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic

Maximum Height	0.2 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width	0.3 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Pantropical
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: Evergreen herbaceous rosettes that are usually free-floating. Production of new plants by stolons results in large colonies. Habitat: Occurs on the surface of ponds and lakes. Sometimes, it becomes rooted in bogs. This species may become invasive, possibly clogging canals and dominating wetland environments. Foliage: Fleshy, obovate leaves (25 cm long, 10 cm wide) are arranged in rosettes that resemble flattened, loose heads of lettuce. They are covered in soft hairs that trap air bubbles, causing the plant to float. The hairs on the leaf underside are thicker and longer, giving a whitish green appearance. Leaves are ribbed due to parallel venation. Leaf margin is entire or undulate. Leaf apex is truncate and slightly curled backwards. The leaves form a cuplike shape that folds inward after dark. Flowers: The inflorescence occurs at the center of the plant. The spathe is short and hairy (2 - 4 cm tall). The spadix contains 3 - 8 male flowers and 1 female flower. Folds in the spathe separate the male flowers from the female flower. Flowers may be self-pollinated or insect-pollinated. Fruits: Fruits are berries that contain many seeds and retain remnants of the stigma. Seeds are dispersed by water. Landscaping: This species is often used in water gardens. Plants will move across the surface of the pond according to wind direction. The presence of floating plants, like Pistia stratiotes, in water gardens helps to control excessive growth of green algae and blanketweed by competing for light and nutrients. Goldfish and koi feed on the leaves and roots of Pistia stratiotes, as well as hide among the roots. The short stature of this foliage plant species will contrast well with larger, flowering species, such as spoon-flower (Xanthosoma nigrum) and taro (Colocasia antiquorum), according to Paul and Rees. Consider decorating your patio or balcony by filling a large, shallow container with water and allowing them to float on the surface. Cultivation: This species is easy-to-grow. Plants are simply placed on the surface of water. This species can be aggressive, so its growth must be carefully contained through consistent thinning of excess plants. Prevent the leaves from getting wet to avoid sun scorch. In hot climates, plants will benefit from partial shade. Yellowing plants can be placed in a separate container with fertilizer until they recover. After moving plants from a greenhouse to the outdoors, allow them to acclimate by protecting them from full sun. Propagation: Propagate by division or separating plantlets produced on stolons that grow near the base of the parent plant. Etymology: The genus "Pistia" is derived from the Greek word "pistos" which means watery. The specific epithet "stratiotes" is derived from a Greek word that means soldier, a possible reference to the genus Stratiotes which contains an aquatic plant species with leaves shaped like swords.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Others: In India, this plant is used as an antiseptic and a treatment for asthma and dysentery. In Bengal, the leaves are fed to livestock, such as pigs and ducks. It is sometimes used as an insecticide in India. This species is used to purify water in parts of Asia, because heavy metals accumulate in its foliage. It has potential as a fuel source, because decomposing foliage releases methane gas.

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: Evergreen herbaceous rosettes that are usually free-floating. Production of new plants by stolons results in large colonies. Habitat: Occurs on the surface of ponds and lakes. Sometimes, it becomes rooted in bogs. This species may become invasive, possibly clogging canals and dominating wetland environments. Foliage: Fleshy, obovate leaves (25 cm long, 10 cm wide) are arranged in rosettes that resemble flattened, loose heads of lettuce. They are covered in soft hairs that trap air bubbles, causing the plant to float. The hairs on the leaf underside are thicker and longer, giving a whitish green appearance. Leaves are ribbed due to parallel venation. Leaf margin is entire or undulate. Leaf apex is truncate and slightly curled backwards. The leaves form a cuplike shape that folds inward after dark. Flowers: The inflorescence occurs at the center of the plant. The spathe is short and hairy (2 - 4 cm tall). The spadix contains 3 - 8 male flowers and 1 female flower. Folds in the spathe separate the male flowers from the female flower. Flowers may be self-pollinated or insect-pollinated. Fruits: Fruits are berries that contain many seeds and retain remnants of the stigma. Seeds are dispersed by water. Landscaping: This species is often used in water gardens. Plants will move across the surface of the pond according to wind direction. The presence of floating plants, like Pistia stratiotes, in water gardens helps to control excessive growth of green algae and blanketweed by competing for light and nutrients. Goldfish and koi feed on the leaves and roots of Pistia stratiotes, as well as hide among the roots. The short stature of this foliage plant species will contrast well with larger, flowering species, such as spoon-flower (Xanthosoma nigrum) and taro (Colocasia antiquorum), according to Paul and Rees. Consider decorating your patio or balcony by filling a large, shallow container with water and allowing them to float on the surface. Cultivation: This species is easy-to-grow. Plants are simply placed on the surface of water. This species can be aggressive, so its growth must be carefully contained through consistent thinning of excess plants. Prevent the leaves from getting wet to avoid sun scorch. In hot climates, plants will benefit from partial shade. Yellowing plants can be placed in a separate container with fertilizer until they recover. After moving plants from a greenhouse to the outdoors, allow them to acclimate by protecting them from full sun. Propagation: Propagate by division or separating plantlets produced on stolons that grow near the base of the parent plant. Etymology: The genus "Pistia" is derived from the Greek word "pistos" which means watery. The specific epithet "stratiotes" is derived from a Greek word that means soldier, a possible reference to the genus Stratiotes which contains an aquatic plant species with leaves shaped like swords.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Others: In India, this plant is used as an antiseptic and a treatment for asthma and dysentery. In Bengal, the leaves are fed to livestock, such as pigs and ducks. It is sometimes used as an insecticide in India. This species is used to purify water in parts of Asia, because heavy metals accumulate in its foliage. It has potential as a fuel source, because decomposing foliage releases methane gas.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Riverine, Aquarium / Aquascape, Phytoremediation (Ground / Water Contaminant(s))
Thematic Landscaping	Water Garden

Usage Hazard - Cons

Invasive / Potentially Invasive

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Abiotic (Self-Pollinated), Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp))
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic (Water)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference	Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast

Rootzone Tolerance	Shallow Media, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Easy to Grow
Maintenance Requirements	Low
Potential Problems	It can clog canals and become invasive in wetland environments.
Propagation Method	Stolon / Runner, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Velvety / Furry / Tomentose

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Rosulate / Rosette
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate)
Foliar Venation	Parallel
Foliar Margin	Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip	Truncate
Foliar Base	Truncate / Square
Typical Foliar Area	Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s)	White
Flower Symmetry	Bilateral

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Green
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Berry

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	1050
Species ID	2343
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 14 October 2021.