Commemorating Antonio Maria Salvini (1633-1729) professor of Greek at the University of Florence and mentor of botanist Pier Antonio Micheli (1679-1737).

Plants 5–20 cm long, forming thick mats, fragmentation of frond common. Rhizome bearing trichomes, true roots absent. Leaves in whorls of 3, the 2 foliar leaves with distinct mid vein; veins anastomosing; submerged leaf dissected, root-like. Sporocarps developing on submerged leaf; covered by thin indusium; producing 1 megaspore or numerous microspores.   

The suitability to Australian conditions has resulted in Salvinia  becoming a serious weed of rivers, streams, lakes and storage dams in most States in Australia, and it has being declared a Weed of National Significance. Its use is not recommended, and it should be eradicated wherever found.  

Subcosmopolitan. About 10 species, mostly Neotropical; 1 introduced in Australia.

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Salviniaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Updated by: Val Stajsic, March 2018