Salvinia

Salvinia molesta

Aquatic fern, free-floating, 5–20 cm long.

Fronds in whorls of 3, the 2 floating fronds strongly keeled, ± circular to ovate, 1–4 cm long, base cordate, the upper surface covered with long papillae, the lower surface bearing densely matted brown hairs.

Sporocarps borne in large numbers on pendent branches of the submerged, much divided leaf. Sporocarps sterile since this species is apparently of hybrid origin; plant spreads vegetatively by fragmentation.