Pistia stratiotes L.

Filed As

Araceae
Pistia stratiotes L.

Collector(s)

D. E. Atha 14868 with Regina Alvarez & Central Park Conservancy Staff: Brie Berry, Andrea Buteau, Terri Carta, Terri Coppersmith, Melanie Macchio, Betsy Marzahn-Ramos, Bonnie Ralston, Nicole Sexton, Allan Wong, 25 Aug 2014

Location

United States of America. New York. New York Co. New York City. Central Park, Pool, at southwest edge, between 101 St and 102 St and between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Blvd and Central Park West.

Habitat

Edge of pond with Lemna spp, Pontederia cordata and Nuphar advena.

Description

Herb, floating, roots not attached to the bottom; leaves bright green; over 100 plants seen here in an area about 4×2 m. They are of various sizes from very small seedlings to large apparently mature plants. Additional plants seen along shore, about 50 m east. Apparently spontaneous as suggested by extent and demographics of the population. This is the first report of water lettuce growing spontaneously in New York County and Central Park. It is the first report for New York City and only the third report for New York State. It was previously reported for Suffolk and Orange Counties, New York (New York Flora Association). The state of Connecticut lists the species as potentially invasive and banned (USDA Plant Database). It should be watched to see if it persists and reappears next year. Phenology of specimen: Fruit.

Notes (shown on label)

Sample preserved in silica gel at NY

Identifiers

NY Barcode: 02457168

Occurrence ID: ee7f0c10-45c6-4a1c-aaf6-323669effed3

Laboratory Collections

Tissue Samples, 02757268, D. E. Atha 14868, Pistia stratiotes L. - Accepted : Araceae (38.0) : : : Magnoliophyta;

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