Floating pennywort is plant that roots in banks of rivers & canals. The plant forms long stems with broad, kidney-shaped leaves that float on the surface of the water. The leaves can protrude up to 30 cm above the water surface. The petiole is located in the center of the leaf. Floating pennywort is easy to recognize by its broad and kidney-shaped leaves with a diameter of 4 to 10 centimeters. Propagation is done via rhizomes and floating stems. Pieces of broken stems also sprout into new plants.
The Great pennywort causes a lot of nuisance because:
- Light and oxygen can no longer penetrate the water, causing submerged aquatic plants and fauna to die.
- Native plant species are being displaced in the riparian zone.
- A lot of phosphate is released from the soil due to lack of oxygen as a result of the death of a large mass of pennywort.
- Landsliding of the riparian zone occurs through a combination of high biomass development and oxygen depletion (delayed digestion of plant material).
- There is an inhibiting effect on the supply and discharge of water, which increases the risk of flooding.
- Shipping, fishing and (swimming) recreation are hindered.
- There are financial consequences as a result of the control: invasive exotic riparian and water plants are generally difficult to control and can only be controlled at high cost.
- Unsafe situations can arise because it is unclear where the land/bank merges into the water.
Source: Kennisnetwerk Invasieve Exoten
