Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
Description
- Free-floating herbaceous annual aquatic plant
- Leathery, heart-shaped leaves on long stems
- Small white flowers have three petals
- Flowers have an outer whorl of three greenish-red sepals
- Prefers calm, open, calcium-rich waters; grows in wetlands, ditches, along protected edges of lakes & rivers
- Reproduces by stolons & turions (‘winter buds’)
- Native to Europe and northern Asia
Consequences of invasion
- Extremely rapid growth during the summer months results in the formation of large masses of densely tangled floating mats of interlocking vegetation!
- These plant masses impede water-recreation activities, crowd out native aquatic vegetation, and restrict dissolved gases & nutrients, which can impact fish
- Can dominate wetlands & reduce valuable habitat for native plant and animals
Introduction and spread
- This plant has a great capacity for vegetative (stolons & turions) reproduction, allowing it to spread and proliferate quickly.
- Originally introduced to North America through the horticultural industry
- European frogbit is now commonly spread by watercraft and connected waterways.
Integrated pest management options
- Prevention: Since “hitchhiking” on watercraft is one of the primary means by which this plant spreads, following the Clean, Drain, Dry method can help protect our waters
- Prevention: Be PlantWise! Choose non-invasive or native plants for your water gardens and ponds