Family: Pontederiaceae

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized beyond native range (e.g., Hawaii).
  
• Agricultural weed (e.g., damages rice & fish production).
  
• Environmental weed (degrades aquatic habitats, displaces natives).
  
• Congeneric weed (other species are invasive).
  
• Broad climate suitability (tolerates wide temperature range).
  
• Unpalatable to most grazing animals.
  
• Shade tolerant (outcompetes submerged plants).
  
• Forms dense, floating mats.
  
• Reproduces rapidly via vegetative fragmentation.
  
• Self-compatible (can self-pollinate).
  
• Reaches reproductive maturity quickly (~1 year).
  
• Dispersed intentionally and unintentionally by people.
  
• Dispersed by water and birds (seeds on feet).
  
• Forms a persistent seed bank (seeds viable for years).
  
• Tolerates mutilation (fragmentation aids spread).

Low Risk Traits:

• Lacks spines, thorns, or burrs.
  
• Not toxic to animals or humans.
  
• Does not create a fire hazard.
  
• Not adapted for wind dispersal.
  
• Effectively controlled by specific herbicides (e.g., glyphosate).
  
• Biological control agents exist and are effective.