Thick floating mats characterize giant salvinia. Giant salvinia entirely covered this Texas pond in one month. B ecause of its ability to reproduce rapidly, giant salvinia can take over a water body in short order. The plant aggressively spreads by fragmenting, or breaking apart, to form new plants. Since it floats on the surface, it quickly shades the waters below, crowding out important native plants.
Thick mats reduce oxygen in the water, making it hard for fish to survive.
It impedes boating, fishing, and swimming and clogs water delivery systems. T his plant can be carried overland by anything that has entered infested waters. Boaters and anglers can prevent its spread by removing all aquatic plants from props, intakes, trailers, and gear before leaving the launch area. Always blow out jet ski intakes and wash boats and equipment land-side before traveling to a new waterway. Boats can't use this marina because of giant salvinia.