How it spreads
Cabomba reproduces and spreads by
the movement of small plant pieces. It
does not produce fertile seed or fruit in
Australia. Plant fragments may survive
in water for six to eight weeks, and
a detached shoot with at least one pair
of leaves can grow into a mature plant.
Pieces as short as 10 mm may be viable.
A native of South America, cabomba has
been dispersed throughout the world
by the aquarium trade. It is still illegally
sold as an aquarium plant in many states
of Australia, supplied by both growers
and wild harvest operations. The trade
represents a $300,000-a-year industry,
while conservative 1999 estimates place
the national cost of cabomba control
at more than $500,000.