Reproduction in the wild:	no
Dispersion potential:	likely
Natural habitats:	likely

More on naturalization and invasiveness: C. caroliniana is a very hardy and persistent species that is rooted in the mud of slow flowing and stagnant aquatic habitats, with direct sunlight and permanent waters. It grows better in nutrient-rich, turbid and acidic waters (growth is inhibited by high calcium levels). It prefers warm climate but can survive when the surface of water is frozen. Recently, the plant established itself in one pond in Flanders from which it disappeared after a few years.

Predation / Herbivory:	low
Competition:	high
Disease transmission:	low
Genetic effects:	low

Nutrient cycling:	high
Physical alteration:	high
Natural successions:	likely
Food web alteration:	low

More on impacts: Under suitable environment conditions, the Carolina fanwort is an extremely persistent and competitive plant. It progressively colonises water bodies and intercepts sunlight to the exclusion of other submerged plants (e.g. Ceratophyllum demersum, Chara spp. and Potamogeton spp.). It may form dense mats at the surface of water, deplete available oxygen and cause foul-smelling water. This change in ecological conditions affects other aquatic organisms.

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