Water Lettuce (Pistia Stratiodes)
Water lettuce grows in rosettes on the water’s surface with thick, soft leaves that can reach 6 inches in length.One rosette can reach a diameter of around 12 inches and a height of 4 inches. Dense feathery roots extend up to 39 inches below the surface of the water and provide ample shelter for small fish. New growth usually occurs with the development of smaller daughter plants connected to the original growth via stolons.
Water lettuce produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the center of the plant in late summer through early fall. They produce massive quantities of seeds, which can sink to the bottom of the water and survive winter in temperate climates. Although not winter hardy, water lettuce seeds can survive under water at temperatures of at least 4 o C (39 o F) for two months.
full sun to partial shade