ORIGIN

S. American

COMMON NAME

Salvinia (kariba weed)

BOTANICAL NAME

Salvinia molesta

IDENTIFICATION

The common name for this plant is kariba weed though most people call it salvinia. Kariba weed is a small floating aquatic fern forming dense mats. Elliptic (rounded at both ends, widest in middle), often overlapping leaves, 25 x 20 mm, light or brown-green and folded with upper surface densely covered in hairs. Notifiable Pest Plant.

HABITATS

Floating on ponds, drains and small lakes and still waters in swamps. Has been frequent in Auckland e.g. Western Springs now eradicated. Should be watched for.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

Forms extensive dense mats seriously degrading the natural character of a waterbody and shading species underneath.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

Fragments break off and can be transported accidentally to other waterbodies. Has been dispersed in the past by disposal of garden pond material and is now a Notifiable Pest Plant.

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
Remove plants.

Disposal
Dispose of away from waterbodies.

Chemical Control
Paraquat (Gramoxone) or Diquat (Reglone) - see label rates. Water right required.

Biological Control

Recommended Approach

FURTHER COMMENT

Salvinia is a Notifiable Pest Plant and landowners and occupiers have a legal obligation to report the presence of this plant to AgriQuaility and/or your local Pest Plant Officer who will arrange for the necessary eradication work. It is an offence for anyone to grow this plant. Notifiable Pest Plants are deemed to pose an intolerable threat to NZ and must be eradicated. The Government pays for and organises all eradication work needed on this plant.

For more information on Salvinia please refer to Environment Bay of Plenty's Fact Sheet pp1300-Aquatic Pest Plants

This plant is prohibited from propagation, sale and distribution within New Zealand!