Forming dense floating mats of tangled stems, water spinach shades out submersed native vegetation and competes with emergent native species. These mats can obstruct water flow, create stagnant water environments ideal for breeding mosquitoes, and displace native plants that are critical for fish and wildlife.
Water spinach is an invasive aquatic vine in tropical and subtropical regions. Its stems are hollow, rooting at nodes and floating when in fully aquatic surroundings.
Water spinach is popular vegetable in Southeast and East Asian. It was orignially introduction into North America as a potential crop species. However, it quickly escaped cultivation and became weedy. Water spinach is listed as a noxious weed by the USDA and in Virginia.
Water spinach can be found in freshwater habitats, including muddy stream banks, canals, ditches, ponds, lakes, and marshes. It is susceptible to frosts, and does not grow well at temperatures below 75°F, thus its habitat is limited to the tropics and subtropics.
Aquatic herbicides have been used to control this plant, but the results have been only temporary and can have unacceptable impacts on surrounding vegetation with conservation value. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of a more selective herbicide on this plant.
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University of Georgia, Bugwood.org