I collected these plants on the Withlacoochee River in Florida last week while looking for plants for a livebearer breeding tank. They are a floating plant with dense, hairy roots hanging below, which is perfect for the upper portion of the tank. I did some research and my guess is that they are smaller specimens of water lettuce, but I'm not sure. The large leaves on them have browned, probably from the damage I did in raking them in off of the river, but already lots of new smaller leaves have formed. Can anyone confirm what they are? Thanks


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Great river, isn't it? The river is loaded with water lettuce and hyacinths. It is possible it has been affected by herbicides if they spray this time of year.

Yes, it's a great river. I've gotten some interesting fish specimens there in the past. I rinsed and treated these plants, but I don't think they would spray at this time of the year since winter has killed back the plants anyway. Someone said this is probably a hyacinth, and it may be, but the ribs lead me to think it's water lettuce. Thanks!

Plants has been identified as a water lettuce named Pistia stratiotes. Thanks GypsyDancer