Production of viable seeds by water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L., in Australia

Abstract

Seeding by water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L., is briefly reviewed, and production and germination of seeds in Australia is recorded for the first time. Seeds germinated on wet filter paper and under water in continuous light, intermittent light or continuous dark. Germination took longer and percentage germination was lower in continuous dark than in the light treatments. Damaging the seed coat to facilitate entry of water reduced time to germination in the light treatments.