Description: Perennial grass with hollow stems that form floating
maps in aquatic systems; nodes swollen, densely hairy. Link
to Center of Aquatic and Invasive Plants photos of this species.
Native Range: Africa
Range indicates presence in at least one
site within a drainage (USGS Hydrologic Unit 8), but
does not necessarily imply occurrence throughout.
Nonindigenous Occurrences: Found in Florida since the early
1900's. Established and abundant throughout Florida drainages. Distributed throughout
peninsular Florida, especiallly problematic in drainage canals. Also found in
lakes, marshes and rivers; tens of thousands of acres burned in Lake Okeechobee.
A single collection from Aiken Co., South Carolina, was made after 1968
and the status is unknown, perhaps not representing an aquatic site.
Author: M.M. Richerson and C.C. Jacono
Revision Date: 22 Apr. 2003
