SafePlants

Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is commonly used in aquariums.
• Fanwort can grow densely, potentially posing an entanglement hazard in aquatic environments.

Common Names

• Fanwort
• Carolina Fanwort
• Green Cabomba
• Washington Grass
• Washington-Plant
• Cabomba (Portuguese-Brazil)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray
• Family: Cabombaceae (Water-Shield Family)
• Synonyms: Cabomba

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to the southeastern United States and parts of South America.
• Introduced to New England and elsewhere.
• Found in freshwater aquatic habitats, including ponds and lakes.
• Invades areas like the Crowe River and Pennsylvania.

Ecological Role

• Considered an invasive aquatic plant.
• Forms dense mats that can exclude other species.
• Highly competitive and can rapidly colonize new water bodies.
• Can affect swimmers due to its dense growth.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Submerged perennial plant.
• Multi-branched.
• Grows to the water surface at the beginning of the growing season.
• Stems may reach lengths of up to 6 meters (20 feet).
• Has divided submerged leaves in the shape of a fan.
• Has small (1/2 – 1 1/4 inches long) alternately arranged elongated floating leaves.
• Rooted or floating.
• Grows from short, fragile underground stems with fibrous roots.
• Underwater leaves are divided into fine branches.
• Has feathery underwater leaves and large, flat, floating surface leaves.
• Can be bright green.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Can exclude other species by forming dense stands.

Further Information

• Washington State Department of Ecology: Non-native Invasive Freshwater Plants - Cabomba caroliniana page.
• Peconic Estuary Program: Fanwort Cabomba caroliniana. Invasive Species in the Peconics.
• Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program - Maine's Interactive Field Guide Listing for fanwort.
• University of Florida / IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.