Salvinia minima
Water spangles
(c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Salviniaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Salvinia minima (Water spangles) is a non-native California herb in the Salviniaceae family, recognized by leaf size, shape, and hair tip structure.
Water spangles is a naturalized aquatic fern found in southern California in stagnant water, mud, and algal mats of sloughs at elevations generally below 100 meters. Although this fern does not produce traditional flowers, its distinctive floating leaves are approximately 5 to 10 millimeters wide, nearly round and create a delicate green mat across water surfaces. Growing as a small, floating plant with intricate leaf structures, it spreads across water surfaces in thin, delicate layers. Its leaves have remarkable surface details, with tiny papillae less than 1 millimeter tall and specialized hairs with free-standing tips that contribute to its unique aquatic appearance. This non-native species forms dense floating colonies that can quickly cover still water environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by leaf size, shape, and hair tip structure
Habitat and range
Habitat: Stagnant water, mud, algal mats of sloughs
Elevation: generally < 100 m
California counties: Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Diego
Outside California: native to southeastern United States, West Indies, Central America, South America
How to tell it apart
vs Azolla: Azolla has pinhead-sized leaves under 2 mm; Salvinia has fingernail-sized leaves 5-25 mm.; vs Eichhornia: Eichhornia has inflated spongy leaf stalks; Salvinia has flat fuzzy leaves.; vs Pistia: Pistia forms circular rosettes with clear veins; Salvinia has paired fuzzy leaves along stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Salvinia minima native to California?
No. Salvinia minima is not native to California (recorded as not native).
Where in California does Salvinia minima grow?
Salvinia minima occurs in Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, at elevations of generally < 100 m.
What plant family does Salvinia minima belong to?
Salvinia minima is in the Salviniaceae family, genus Salvinia.
What habitat does Salvinia minima grow in?
Salvinia minima grows in Stagnant water, mud, algal mats of sloughs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.