*Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell. Giant Salvinia, Kariba Weed. Phen: Jan-Dec. Hab: Still waters of farm ponds, calcareous seepage ponds, and other situations. Dist: Native of Brazil. S. molesta has been found at scattered sites in GA (Gwinnett and Lamar counties) (Carter, Baker, & Morris 2009), NC (Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Durham, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Person, Pitt, Sampson, and Wake counties), SC (Colleton County), and VA (Shenandoah County), where it has been subjected to extermination efforts; it will likely be reintroduced (Anonymous 1999, D. Patterson, pers. comm.)

Origin/Endemic status: Neotropics

Taxonomy Comments: Moran & Smith (1999) support the continued use of the name S. molesta for this species, as opposed to the ambiguous name S. adnata Desvaux.

Other Comments: This species is considered a noxious aquatic weed and has been reported from other southeastern states, such as TX and LA (Jacono 1999).

Synonymy: = ETx1, Fl1, FNA2, K1, K3, TxFerns, WH3, Lellinger (1985); = n/a – RAB; = Salvinia ×molesta – K4; ? Salvinia adnata Desv.

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL
• Great Plains: OBL