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Taxon  Report  
Limnobium spongia  (Bosc) Rich. ex Steud.
American spongeplant
Limnobium spongia is a perennial herb that is not native to California.
Cal-IPC rating: high
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Observation Search
~10 records in California
redone or more occurrences
within a 7.5-minute quadrangle
DJJJASONAFMM

Bloom Period
Genus: Limnobium
Family: Hydrocharitaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Monocot
Jepson eFlora section: monocot

Wetlands: Occurs in wetlands
Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS

Alternate Names:
PLANTSHydrocharis cordifolia
JEF + PLANTSHydrocharis spongia
Information about  Limnobium spongia from other sources

[Cal-IPC] Ecological impact, invasiveness: Limnobium spongia (South American spongeplant) is a perennial aquatic plant (family Hydrocharitaceae) found on the San Joaquin river and the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta. The spongeplant can form thick mats across the water causing problems for boats, fish, and water infrastructure. Limbnobium spongia can spread rapidly through quick seed production and vegetative growth. The small, floating seeds easily disperse once produced. Cal-IPC Rating: High (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)

[gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org] Southeastern USA native: American spongeplant is native to the southeastern states. It has thick, spongy, floating leaves and thinner emergent leaves that lack the spongy tissue. After fertilization, the peduncle curves down, so that the developing fruit is pushed underwater. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2024. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 04/26/2024).