Family: Pontederiaceae
High Risk Traits:
- Broad native distribution and able to thrive in tropical climates
- Elevation range may exceed 1000 m
- Naturalized in France, Greece, Italy; Portugal, Australia, Oahu (Hawaiian Islands)
- A disturbance adapted weed
- An agricultural weed in rice and taro
- Potential environmental weed
- Other Heteranthera species have become invasive
- Forms dense mats
- Spreads vegetatively and by seeds
- Can reproduce and spread from single pieces of stem or root fragments
- Seeds and plant fragments can be spread by water, birds, or stuck to machinery
- Can form a persistent seed bank
Low Risk Traits:
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Readily outcompeted and replaced by taller vegetation
- Does not thrive under shade
- Certain herbicides may provide effective control