N
The Daily Insight

Where is Fanwort from?

Author

Caleb Butler

Updated on April 03, 2026

naTIVE RANGE AND DISTRIBUTION Cabomba caroliniana is considered native to southeastern United States, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. Since all other species of the genus Cabomba are only found in Central and South America, it is thought that C.

What does Fanwort do?

Fanwort is a highly competitive plant that is capable of rapid growth and spread. Fanwort can displace native species, reduce biodiversity, hamper recreational uses, reduce real estate value, diminish aesthetic values, and decrease water quality.

Where is Cabomba native to?

Native Range: Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray is native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northeast Argentina, southern and eastern USA….

State/ProvinceONT
First Observed1948
Last Observed1948
Total HUCs with observations†*

Is Cabomba a flowering plant?

Cabomba is an aquatic plant genus, one of two belonging to the family Cabombaceae. It has divided submerged leaves in the shape of a fan (hence the vernacular name fanwort) and is much favoured by aquarists as an ornamental and oxygenating plant for fish tanks….

Cabomba
Genus:Cabomba Aubl.
Species
See text

What does Fanwort look like?

Fanwort has fan-like underwater leaves of two types: submersed and floating. The floating leaves are about two inches across and small, diamond-shaped, and infrequent. The white to pink to purplish flowers grow on stalks which arise from the tips of the stems and bloom May to September.

Is Fanwort a terrestrial plant?

Fanwort is an invasive aquatic plant native to the southeastern United States and parts of South America. Today, it has invaded parts of the Crowe River watershed in central Ontario, as well as waters in the northern United States, Asia, and Australia. It prefers acidic water with a pH of about 4.8 to 7.8.

Is Cabomba an invasive species?

Cabomba caroliniana is a perennial submersed aquatic plant that is native to the southeastern United States. It has become an invasive problem in parts of the United States where it is not native. It can grow in water 3-10 ft. (0.9-3 m) deep with stems up to 6.5 ft.

How do you propagate a Cabomba?

Cabomba plant is propagated by cutting young branches from a mature plant and pressing the trimmed stems at least an inch into the substrate. When making a cutting from the main plant, trim pieces that are 3 inches or more since the longer the stem, the faster it will establish.

Can I cut Cabomba?

The key to trimming Cabomba is to cut the stems very gently. Be careful to not tug the plant and cause breaking, cracking, excessive shedding or uprooting. And if the trimmings are at least three inches long and look to be in good shape, they can be floated in the water or planted in the substrate.

Where is the Fanwort found in Canada?

Range. In Ontario, fanwort was first found in Kasshabog Lake, part of the Crowe River watershed northeast of the City of Peterborough. Since its discovery in 1991 it has spread within the watershed to North River, South Lake and Big Mountain Lake.

Where does Fanwort grow?

Fanwort is native to southern United States, but is non-native in northern regions. Over-winters in the frozen lakes of northern climates and can thrive in warm southern water bodies.