Officials from Texas and Louisiana have taken aggressive action to contain and hopefully eradicate an invasive, foreign species of floating aquatic fern discovered on Caddo Lake in late May.

Larry D. Hodge, Texas Parks and Wildlife spokesman, said giant salvinia, a plant native to southeastern Brazil, was discovered on the Louisiana side of the 25,000-acre natural lake by a research biologist on May 29.

"An initial survey, conducted by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department personnel, revealed a well-established population of giant salvinia in Jeem's Bayou on the Louisiana portion of the lake," Hodge said. "The infestation was estimated to cover more than 150 acres."