Pistia stratiotes L.

Description:

Sungai Ara, Penang, Malaysia. Pistia stratiotes L. Araceae. CN: [Malay - Kiambang], Nile-cabbage, Tropical-duckweed, Water-cabbage, Water-lettuce. Indigenous to most of the world's tropical regions. Uses as ornamental, animal food, Methane fuel, weed. A problematic aquatic weed clogging waterways, fish ponds and rice fields. Plant a monotypic species, thick, soft leaves that form a rosette. It floats on the surface of the water, its roots hanging submersed beneath floating leaves. The leaves can be up to 14 cm long and have no stem. They are light green, with parallel veins, wavy margins and are covered in short hairs which form basket-like structures which trap air bubbles, increasing the plant's buoyancy. Botanic details in Wiki. Ref and suggested reading:www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?102491en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pistia