Water lettuce

• Free-floating, spongy, aquatic perennial, resembling small, floating, open head of lettuce.
• Leaves are fan-shaped, covered with hairs.
• Roots are tufted, unbranched, feathery, up to 80cm long.
• Flowers are small, green, 10–20mm long.
• Fruit is egg-shaped, greenish, 1cm across, containing 4–15 seeds.
• Seeds are oblong, 2mm long, tapered at each end.

• Prefers stationary or slow-flowing water.
• Sensitive to frost.
• Grows best in water with high nutrient concentrations.

• Found in areas throughout eastern Queensland.

• Seeds germinate in muddy bottoms in late November–early December and float to surface as seedlings.
• Flowering and reproduction begins early in plant's life, about fourth or fifth leaf stage, when plant densities are high.
• Propagation is by seed or by 20cm long stolons (runners) that produce daughter plants; propagation by stolons is most prevalent form of reproduction
• Flowering occurs mostly during summer and early autumn.

Environmental

• Restricts water flow and increases water loss.
• Large infestations damage wildlife habitats.
• Serves as breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Transforms aquatic ecosystems.
• Shades out native aquatic plants.
• Reduces oxygenation of water.

Economic

• Interferes with irrigation and stock watering.

Social

• Large infestations interfere with boating.
• Degrades quality of swimming and fishing.

• Spread by daughter plants and seeds.
• Spread mostly by water movement.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

Physical control

• Remove by hand for small areas or when numbers are low, before flowering and seeding.

Mechanical control

• Waterweed harvesters may be used for larger areas.

Herbicide control

• Herbicides are effective.
• Spraying results in quicker death in warmer months.

Read the water lettuce fact sheet (PDF, 3.4MB) for herbicide control and application rates.

Biological control

• Weevil Neohydromonus affinis has been introduced and exerts good control in some areas.
• Weevils have proved effective in dams from Bundaberg to Brisbane. Weevil life cycle takes about 3 months. Eggs are laid in fleshy leaves and larvae tunnel through plant tissue. Openings aid entry of fungi and bacteria, causing tissue to rot.
• Biological control is most effective on large infestations, but may take many years to achieve satisfactory control. To establish an effective breeding population of biological control agents, place infested plants in an area where water lettuce is concentrated.
• Your local government office or local Biosecurity Queensland officer can provide protocols and more information.

• Water lettuce is a category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• You must not give away, sell, or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
• You must take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with water lettuce under your control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO).
• At a local level, each local government must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants and animals in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken on water lettuce. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local council for more information.