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Family: Salviniaceae Scientific name: Salvinia molesta Description: Plant Form: Free-floating mat-forming aquatic fern. Size: Individual plants 6-25 cm long but forms large mats. Stem: Green, covered in fine hairs, slender and submerged. Leaves: Fronds, light green or yellowish, round to oval, growing in opposite pairs, with many waxy hairs, float on surface in mats. Habitat: Slow moving water bodies like ponds, generally in warmer climates. Distinguishing Features: Leaves get larger than Red root floater (Phyllanthus fluitans). Early growth can be distinguished from Azolla (Azolla species) and Duckweed (Lemna species and Spirodela species) by the opposite frond pairs.