water spangle
Quick Summary
The water spangle, also known as Salvinia, is a genus of tiny aquatic ferns belonging to the order Salviniales. These ferns float on water and are characterized by their delicate beauty, often used to decorate aquariums and garden pools.12
Key features include:
* Rootless nature: Unlike some other water ferns, Salvinia species lack true roots.1
* Leaf structure: They have a whorl of three leaves; two are round and float above the water, while the third is submerged and finely divided, functioning like a root.1
* Reproduction: Water spangles reproduce asexually through buds that form on the margins of their leaves, creating clones of the parent plant.3
While generally ornamental, some Salvinia species, like S. molesta, can become aggressive invasive weeds in waterways.1
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