Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Fishgrass (Cabomba haynesii) - Uncertain Risk

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

Cabomba haynesii, Fishgrass, is an aquatic plant that is native to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico. There is conflicting information about whether this species is native to Florida. There are no reports of introductions. C. haynesii is classified as a prohibited invasive plant in Queensland, Australia. History of invasiveness is classified as No Known Nonnative Population. Information about this species’ native range is limited and contradictory, reducing the certainty of this screening and the certainty of the interpretation of the climate match. The climate match for the contiguous United States is Medium, with some medium match in Southeastern coastal areas and southern California. Peninsular Florida, where the species is present, was dominated by a high climate match. The rest of the contiguous United States had low match. The overall risk assessment category is Uncertain.