Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Water Lettuce - Watery Wednesday

Pistia stratiotes, commonly known as water lettuce or water cabbage, is a free-floating aquatic plant in tropical fresh waterways. This floating plant is a very aggressive invader and can cover entire surface of ponds, canals, lakes and rivers that can result to oxygen depletion and fish kills. They're beautiful but can have a severe impact on the environment and economy of infested areas. The dense mats created by connected rosettes block waterways, thus hindering flood control efforts. Water lettuce mats are also breeding place for mosquitoes.

Photos taken at Silangang Nayon, Pagbilao, Quezon

Posted for Watery Wednesday

10 comments:

fortuitous faery said...

so pretty! they almost look plastic! hehe.

love your new header graphic!

Audun said...

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing

Oman said...

dami sa amin nyan sa may palaisdaan. nakikagcompete sila ng space sa lotus. nice shots.

Arija said...

Miranda, these are such delicious photos, sust gorgeous.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great info, didn't realize how destructive it can be. Great WW post.

2sweetnsaxy said...

They are beautiful and the shots are equally so. Too bad they cause so much trouble.

Amanda Guthrie said...

How cool to see all the little droplets of water on the leaves, great capture!

escape said...

wow! i miss our old mini pond. we grow lettuce while the carps enjoy its presence.

VALKYRIEN said...

Beautiful photos! Love the waterdrops on those great looking plants!

Ebie said...

The thought of these plants being a breeding place of mosquitoes scares me. My daughter when she was in grade school was hospitalized for denge fever. On the positive note, the photos are beautiful especially with the dew drops.