Flora canaria > Especies silvestres
Pistia stratiotes
Pistia stratiotes L.
Familia
ARACEAE
Lechuga de agua, Lechugilla, Lechuga cimarrona, Quiapo
Pistia stratiotes, commonly known as water lettuce or water cabbage, is the only species in the genus Pistia and belongs to the Araceae family. It is a perennial, floating aquatic plant found pantropically in still waters around the world, and is commonly used in aquariums and pond design for its aesthetic and water-purifying properties. It forms striking rosettes of soft, thick, velvety leaves. These are light green or greyish-green in colour with very pronounced parallel veins.
The leaves have fine, water-repellent hairs and contain a spongy tissue called aerenchyma, which allows them to float freely.
It has long, feathery roots that are white, brown or dark yellow in colour and hang directly into the water. These roots absorb nutrients and nitrogenous compounds.
It produces a tiny inflorescence, hidden amongst the leaves, in the form of a spadix, resembling a miniature calla lily.
It spreads extremely rapidly, mainly via stolons from which new offshoots sprout.
Its dense roots provide an excellent hiding place and spawning ground for fish and fry.
As it colonises the surface, it creates shaded areas and competes aggressively for nutrients in the water, limiting the growth of harmful algae.
It has an excellent ability to absorb heavy metals and purify the aquatic environment of excess nitrates or sludge.
La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote
Lechuga de agua, Lechugilla, Lechuga cimarrona, Quiapo
Pistia stratiotes, commonly known as water lettuce or water cabbage, is the only species in the genus Pistia and belongs to the Araceae family. It is a perennial, floating aquatic plant found pantropically in still waters around the world, and is commonly used in aquariums and pond design for its aesthetic and water-purifying properties. It forms striking rosettes of soft, thick, velvety leaves. These are light green or greyish-green in colour with very pronounced parallel veins.
The leaves have fine, water-repellent hairs and contain a spongy tissue called aerenchyma, which allows them to float freely.
It has long, feathery roots that are white, brown or dark yellow in colour and hang directly into the water. These roots absorb nutrients and nitrogenous compounds.
It produces a tiny inflorescence, hidden amongst the leaves, in the form of a spadix, resembling a miniature calla lily.
It spreads extremely rapidly, mainly via stolons from which new offshoots sprout.
Its dense roots provide an excellent hiding place and spawning ground for fish and fry.
As it colonises the surface, it creates shaded areas and competes aggressively for nutrients in the water, limiting the growth of harmful algae.
It has an excellent ability to absorb heavy metals and purify the aquatic environment of excess nitrates or sludge.
La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote
