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Federal Noxious Weed
TDA Noxious Weed TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species Invasive Plant Atlas of the USNOTE:
means species is on that list.
Ottelia alismoides
duck-lettuce
Synonym(s): Stratiotes alismoides L.
Family: Hydrocharitaceae
Duration and Habit: Perennial Forb/Herb
Photographer: ARMO, TISI
Source: Aquarium and Pond Plants of the World, Edition 3, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
Description
An herbaceous annual aquatic plant, the Ottelia alismoides is rooted in mud. The flowers are terminal, with one per long stem. The stem usually projects the flower over the water, however, flowers can fully open while submerged. Petals are ovate at tip and narrow towards the base and can range from white to light pink with yellow anthers. Leaves are fully submerged and range from 10-25 cms in length and from lanceolate to oblong in shape. Veining runs parallel along leaf. Ducklettuce produces up to 2000, oblong seeds; each with a ribbed texture and a beaked tip. Seeds are small, ranging from 15-40 cm long.
Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with duck-lettuce.
Ecological Threat: O. alismoides is found on the federal noxious weed list. Infestations in Florida are monitored to determine the level of threat produced. (Jess Van Dyke / Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, 2014)
Biology & Spread: Flowers bloom throughout the spring into summer. O. alismoides produces solely by seed and subsequent spread to new areas is limited by water flow.
History: Found in Thompsons Bayou, a slow moving tributary of the Escambia River in Florida in 2003. (Jess Van Dyke / Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, 2014)
U.S. Habitat: Ottelia alismoides can be found in slow moving or stagnant, shallow water bodies such as bayous, pools and lakes
Distribution
U.S. Nativity: Introduced to the U.S.
Native Origin: Africa, India, southwestern Pacific, tropical Asia, Australia (Robert F. Thorne, 2014)
U.S. Present: CA, LA, MO, TX
Distribution in Texas: Port Arthur and Beaumont areas. Widespread in Louisiana.
Mapping
Invaders of Texas Map: Ottelia alismoides
EDDMapS: Ottelia alismoides
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Ottelia alismoides
Native Alternatives
Management
Manually removed in Thompsons Bayou. Use of pesticide not recommended in infested areas as it could cause more harm to surrounding flora. (Jess Van Dyke / Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, 2014)
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.Text References
Online Resources
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=OTAL
http://wiki.bugwood.org/Ottelia_alismoides
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/300
Search Online
Google Search: Ottelia alismoides
Google Images: Ottelia alismoides
NatureServe Explorer: Ottelia alismoides
USDA Plants: Ottelia alismoides
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Ottelia alismoides
Bugwood Network Images: Ottelia alismoides
