Scientific name: Salvinia molesta

Hawaiian Name: —

Classification: Kingdom: Plantae. Phylum: Pteridophytae. Family: Saliviniaceae

Origin: Introduced; first found in 1999.

Status: A serious pest in lakes and ponds.

Distribution: Hawai‘i and O‘ahu.

Map: —

Native to Brazil and naturally occurring in the American tropics, this pond weed has infested the surface of some water reservoirs so densely it is known to some as the "Green Monster". Although it doesn't appear like one, it is actually classified as a fern. By quickly growing to cover water surfaces, it causes problems by blocking out light for organisms growing in the water and can put a quick and tangled halt to water recreation vehicles.