Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce)

Plant of the month:

pistia stratiotes web

 

Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce)

Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce)

Tropical House

As well as being a feature of the Tropical House pool,  our stocks of Pistia stratiotes (commonly named water lettuce) are  used by teachers, children and volunteers, where it provides a good example of plants’ abilities to adapt their structures to very different habitats.  P. stratiotes is a floating water plant grown for its decorative foliage and particularly suited to indoor pools and aquaria, although it has to be managed carefully: if left to grow unrestricted its roots form ‘mats’ which prevent oxygenation of water and kill anything living in the water.  It is a deciduous perennial plant, but will retain its leaves if kept at constant temperatures of 19-21C (66-70F).  It is now found throughout tropical regions, often as an invasive weed! It was first recorded in Africa’s Nile region in the nineteenth century.