Plant capable of carpeting waterways found in Norfolk Broads
People have been warned not to ‘dump’ plants in rivers after an invasive species was found floating in a Broads waterway.
The Broads Authority is appealing for help in stopping an invasion – of floating pennywort.
“We are concerned that the invasive floating pennywort has been spotted in the upper reaches of the River Ant. This plant can carpet rivers and increases management costs for navigation authorities who have to clear it up,” a Facebook post by the Broads Authority says.
“We are working with partners at the Environment Agency, North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust to investigate this latest outbreak, but it looks likely to be a result of someone dumping plants from their pond into the natural waterway.”
The authority says: “Please, if cleaning out your pond, make sure you compost the plants and never dump them.
“Be plant-wise and learn how to spot this invader and report it to the Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative (NNNSI).”
According to Norfolk News, the NNNSI notes on its website that the floating pennywort, originally from North America, is “spreading rapidly’ across the UK, and is ‘proving to be particularly invasive in Norfolk”.
It also says that operations are underway to “eradicate the species” from the River Waveney.
“These dense mats often push out native plants and clog waterways. In Britain, an estimation of the costs of chemical control for this species can be up to £300,000 per year.”
Since 2014, the pennywort has been banned from sale and is illegal to plant in the wild.
NNNSI asks that if anyone sees a suspected case of pennywort they should take a photo, record the date and location, and email NNNSI@norfolk.gov.uk.
