For example it is increasingly prevalent in saline soils and waste areas of the San Francisco Bay region. There is no survival during periods of prolonged flooding during the growing season, however, it dominates wetlands from the edge of standing water to dry upland areas. In addition to natural areas, dense colonies are formed in disturbed areas such as roadsides, rangelands, pastures, agricultural fields, and irrigation canals. A Mediterranean climate is preferred. Numerous problems are associated with L. latifolium infestations.
Large colonies replace native grasses, sedges and rushes.
Infestations lower protein content and digestibility of the pasture for livestock. If the area is not mowed down, the accumulation of the non-degraded stems can physically inhibit grazing. In large quantities, blindness, impaired swallowing and use of the tongue has been observed. L. latifolium may become an economic threat to alfalfa and sugarbeets. The semi-woody stems hinder nesting waterfowl and the weed prevents the regeneration of willows and cottonwoods.