Weed Identification

Australia > WA > Swan Coastal Plain (IBRA) > Cabomba

Cabomba

Cabomba caroliniana

THIS PLANT HAS BEEN DECLARED A WEED OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

Family: Cabombaceae.

Form: Water plant

Origin: Native to South America.

Flowers/Seedhead: Flowers: White to pale yellow on stalks raised above the water surface. Flowers most of year.

Description: Submerged perennial, with stems to 5 (rarely 10) m long. Well developed fibrous root system (see photo). Seed has not been recorded in this species in Australia. Overseas seeds are oblong, 1.5–3 mm long and 1–1.5 mm wide with rows of minute wart-like projections.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by floating leaves to about 2 cm long (sometimes absent) and submerged finely divided fan-shaped, submerged opposite leaves divided into linear segments on a leaf stalk that varies from about 3 cm long on lower leaves to almost absent on upper leaves (see photo).

Dispersal: By pieces in water or discarded from aquaria. Possibly by seeds but not as yet verified in Australia.

Confused With: Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum and Watermilfoils Myriophyllum spp.


Small floating leaves (top) & roots (right)

Notes: Probably introduced as an aquarium plant. Widely sold for aquaria. Now amongst the worst aquatic weed threats throughout Australia. Grows in still or slowly flowing water in depths ranging from a few cm to 5 m or more. Dense infestations interfere with recreational and agricultural use of a waterbody. Cabomba will also crowd out native aquatic plants. Difficult to control once introduced to large reservoirs.

References:

    Noxious Weeds of Australia. W. Parsons and E. Cuthbertson, 1992, pages 353–354. The Biology of Australian Weeds. F Panetta et al. (eds), Vol. 2, 1998, pages 19–36.

Web References: Search Australian web sites for further information on this weed.

Left & top right C. caroliniana with 2 opposite leaves
Lower right C. pyanensis with leaves in whorls of 3
Flowers & leaves on palm of hand

This weed has been included in the WEEDeck field guide as card W04

More information about WEEDeck is available from Sainty & Associates Pty. Ltd.

 

Australia > WA > Swan Coastal Plain (IBRA) > Cabomba

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