Ecological Risk Screening Summary - American Featherfoil (Hottonia inflata)

Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Ecological Risk Screening Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.

Hottonia inflata, American Featherfoil, is an emergent aquatic plant that is native to the eastern and southeastern United States. This plant is primarily found in lentic bodies of water such as lakes, swamps, backwaters, and beaver ponds and is believed to be dispersed by beavers and waterfowl. There are no known introductions of H. inflata outside its native range; therefore, the History of Invasiveness is categorized as No Known Nonnative Population. This species is present in the aquarium trade, but little information is available on the length of time it has been in trade or how many individuals are being traded. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species outside its native range. High climate match occurred in the eastern contiguous United States, primarily in the species’ native range, but also in areas north and west of the species’ range. The climate match was generally low elsewhere, particularly in the western United States. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as Low because there is no information available on impacts of H. inflata introduction. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Hottonia inflata in the contiguous United States is Uncertain.