Cabomba
Cabomba caroliniana
family
Cabombaceae
origin
Exotic
declaration
Category 3 Restricted Matter (Biosecurity Act 2014)
Must not be distributed or disposed. This means it must not be released into the environment unless the distribution or disposal is authorised in a regulation or under a permit.
Common names
Cabomba, Carolina fanwort, Carolina water shield, Common cabomba, Fish grass, Green cabomba, Washington grass, Washington plant, Watershield.
A long-lived, mostly underwater, plant with stems that are often covered with a thin layer of jelly-like slime. Its oppositely arranged underwater leaves (3-7 cm in size) are finely divided and have a fan-shaped appearance. Its inconspicuous floating leaves are small (up to 20 mm long), narrowly oval or elongated in shape, and have entire margins. Its small white flowers (6-20 mm across) have a yellowish centre and are borne just above the water surface.
Impact
Impact
Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia and is a Weed of National Significance (WoNS). This is largely because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and environmental impacts. It is already a significant environmental weed problem in some of the coastal districts of Queensland and NSW, but it has the potential to become a much greater problem in all Australian states and territories.It grows quickly and produces a large amount of plant material which chokes waterways. It is extremely persistent and can take over a water body, forming a monoculture and excluding native plant species. When this vegetation dies off, decomposition can cause a dramatic reduction in the oxygen levels in the water, which can lead to the death of fish and other aquatic animals. Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) infestations are also thought to have an impact on larger native animals (e.g. in northern Queensland platypus and water rat numbers are lower in infested creeks).Because of its invasiveness in Australia and other parts of the world, this species is listed in the Global Invasive Species Database.
Location
Location
Characteristics
Characteristics
Similar Species
Similar Species
Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia and is a Weed of National Significance (WoNS). This is largely because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and environmental impacts. It is already a significant environmental weed problem in some of the coastal districts of Queensland and NSW, but it has the potential to become a much greater problem in all Australian states and territories.It grows quickly and produces a large amount of plant material which chokes waterways. It is extremely persistent and can take over a water body, forming a monoculture and excluding native plant species. When this vegetation dies off, decomposition can cause a dramatic reduction in the oxygen levels in the water, which can lead to the death of fish and other aquatic animals. Cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) infestations are also thought to have an impact on larger native animals (e.g. in northern Queensland platypus and water rat numbers are lower in infested creeks).Because of its invasiveness in Australia and other parts of the world, this species is listed in the Global Invasive Species Database.
