Description

Pistia stratiotes is a floating aquatic plant which is also known as Water lettuce. Pistia stratiotes floats on the surface of the water, its roots hanging submersed beneath floating leaves. The leaves can measure 2 – 15 cm long and are light green, with parallel venations and wavy margins. The surface of the leaves is covered in short, white hairs which form basket-like structures that can trap air bubbles and increase the plant’s buoyancy.