These leaves are often crinkled or even plicate on their terminal line. The leaves tend to be bluish. They reach 40 cm diameter and tend to be brighter, grassy green tone. The first roots appear early after the first foliar leaf expands. They are always adventive.
Young roots emerge on the higher shoot portions.
Therefore, of that, they expand outside of the bulk of older roots. The older roots are in the center of the root bunch and disintegrate there. The formation of lateral roots takes place immediately after the tip of the main root. This leads to a regular, conical silhouette of the root. However, contrary to the literature, Pistia forms roots with retarded lateral roots as well, according to its ability to root in the ground or in drifting debris.