WATER LETTUCE

Description Perennial aquatic herb to 20 cm above water level with feathery roots. Looks very much like an open head of lettuce.

Leaves Pale green leaves are ribbed, wedge-shaped and form a rosette. They are spongy to touch and have a velvety appearance due to the small thick hairs that cover them and are 15 cm long and 8 cm wide.

Flowers Inconspicuous, whitish-green, on small stalks hidden amongst leaves.

Fruit Berry, 2 mm long and 5–10 mm wide, green, then mature to a brown colour.

Seeds Oblong shaped with 4–15 seeds in each berry.

Roots Many unbranched feathery roots up to 80 cm long are submerged in the water beneath the plant’s leaves.

Dispersal Seed or vegetative reproduction from plant fragments dispersed by waterways, watercraft, fishing equipment or illegal dumping of aquarium or pond plants.

Control Contact your local Rous County Council Weed Biosecurity Officer for control advice and disposal. Manually remove where appropriate. Ensure all plant material is removed from wet and damp areas. Continuously suppress using weed harvesters. Foliar spray with herbicide registered for aquatic use.