specialist FLOATING PENNYWORT control services

OUR SPECIALIST CONTROL SERVICES WILL TREAT OR ERADICATE THIS SPECIES. TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE FLOATING PENNYWORT USE OUR FREE ID TOOL OR BOOK A SURVEY

treatment & removal

Floating pennywort can be treated with a suitable aquatic herbicide however mechanical excavation is the best method to completely remove the visible plant and any remaining roots systems.

There has been research carried out using bilogical control methods such as Listronotus elongatus – the Foating pennywort weevil which acts as a predator.

To find out the best way to control or remove Floating pennywort and the best time of year to have treatment or eradication carried out get in touch.

WHY IS FLOATING PENNYWORT A PROBLEM?

Floating pennywort grows rapidly so control can be an on-going project. The dense formation poses a risk to livestock, dogs and human health. Without proper control measures in place Floating pennywort can grow up to 20cm per day and may quickly dominate a waterbody forming thick mats and impeding water flow and amenity use, causing harm to British waterways and surrounding environments.

A national partnership has been formed between government and non-government organisations to facilitate the local groups engaged in Floating pennywort management. This partnership has agreed a strategy to manage Floating pennywort and produced guidance and resources to support local partnerships develop a Floating pennywort Catchment Management Plan. For information on the NNSS GB Floating pennywort Strategy visit their website.

ABOUT FLOATING PENNYWORT

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
ORIGIN: North America

Floating pennywort is classed as the worst aquatic weed in the UK.

A perennial aquatic plant part of a widely distributed genus of more than 130 species. It was first brought into Northern Ireland as a plant for tropical aquariums and ponds, but since it escaped into the wild, its ability to out-compete native species has a severe effect on biodiversity.

• Perennial, with thin rooting stems, often floating.
• Shiny, kidney-shaped leaves with crinkled edges arranged in a rosette formation.
• Leaves up to 10cm in diameter on thin, usually erect petioles.
• Leaves extend up to 40 cm above the water surface.
• Small creamy yellow flowers approximately 3 mm in diameter.
• Produces dense, interwoven floating mats across slow-flowing waters.

HABITAT

Can be found on many inland surface waters such as lakes, rivers, canals & other slow moving water-bodies.

IMPACT: HIGH

The dense carpet causes problems for fish and other aquatic species as their environment becomes limited and movement up and down rivers and waterways becomes increasingly difficult. Infestation is a major causation of flooding events where channels and water control structures are blocked.

TOXICITY: ZERO

Floating pennywort presents no physical danger to either humans or animals.