Giant Salvinia

(Salvinia oblongifolia) Giant Salviia is a Free floating aquatic fern developing from a somewhat zigzagged horizontal stem (rhizome) that floats just under the water surface. The rhizome bears opposite pairs of rectangular floating leaves and a third submersed, filamentous leaf along each node. The roots are absent, although the submersed leaf has a root-like look. Floating leaves are three times longer than wide, measuring about 1 to 2 inches long and 1/2to 3/4 inch wide. Floating leaves lie flat or can be folded on the mid-rib depending on the density of the population. Individual plants commonly grow 20 - 25 cm long, Nearly all parts of the plant, except the upper leaf surface are sparsely clothed in chestnut colored hairs.