Cabomba furcuta

Sept. 25, 2023

Kole wetlands, an internationally important Ramsar site of high value biodiversity, have been facing the threat of Cabomba furcuta an alien invasive species.

About Cabomba furcuta:

It is popularly called Pink Bloom due to its massive flowering.
It is native to central and South America which was brought to Kerala as an aquarium plant and has escaped to the wild.
It is a submerged perennial aquatic plant that grows in stagnant to slow-flowing freshwater.
The plant has a high natural dispersal potential due to its ability to readily fragment and spread both actively and passively.
It requires a large quantity of oxygen for its growth and will choke water bodies and drainage canals.
It causes decline in diversity of native aquatic plants and causes economic losses by affecting yield of freshwater fishes.

Key facts about Kole wetlands

It is the largest brackish, humid tropical wetland ecosystem located in the state of Kerala.
Extending from the northern bank of Chalakudy River in the south to the southern bank of Bharathapuzha River in the north
It is situated in the central Asian Flyway of migratory birds.

Source : Kole wetlands face threat of alien plants