What is the pistia?
pistia or pistia stratiotes , also known as water salad or water cabbage, is a permanent water plant most of the tropical areas. The pistia has strong, rigid, green leaves that are shaped as an open rosette, similar to the open head of the salad, while the roots of the plants resemble light feathers. The pistions are reproduced by seeds or creating shoots with daughter plants. Pista can survive in most mild climates, even if they thrive in a tropical environment. These plants will not tolerate extreme cold, but will be reflected from minor freezing. Pistions can live in temperatures ranging from 59 ° F to 95 ° F (15 and DEGC up to 35 ° C), yet the optimum temperature is closer to 72 ° F and 86 ° F (22 ° C to 30 ° C). The plant is mentioned in the exploratory writings of William Bartram, dating back to 1765; Notes that he sees pistium plants while he is nowFlorida. Some scientists believe that plants have arrived in the prestation of boats of explorers and maybe they are originally from South America or Africa.
plants can grow to strong mats above the water formations and become annoying. When this happens, water activities such as cruise, fishing and swimming are almost impossible. Excessive amounts of pisty plants can also affect the ecosystem by blocking all sunlight underwater and disrupting the life of plants and animals below the surface. It will also reduce the amount of oxygen in water, threatening fish and other aquatic animals. On the surface of the water, the pistium plant will be pushed and Choke, among other things, aquatic plants, which can be a source of food or a habitat for water wild game.
In some areas where overgrowth must be checked, mechanical harvesters are used to cut and remove pistia from water bodies. Biological controls are also used, mostly in the form ofWeevil water sheet. Weevily is introduced into an environment with an excess of pistia and beetles and beetles larvae feed on plants and destroy them.
Pistia is a popular plant for personal use. It can be used in aquariums or outdoor decorative ponds. It can be purchased in stores with aquarium supply or through plant schools that supply aquatic plants.