Floating water-plantain
5 July 2010
This aquatic plant is inconspicuous unless flowering when its delicate white flowers stand proud of the water surface in clear water lakes, ponds and canals. It is generally confined to the north and west of England but has been lost from many sites due to nutrient enrichment. It is sensitive to competition from other aquatic plants and algae, so is vulnerable to increased levels of plant nutrients from sewage and agriculture.
Floating water-plantain
(c) Chris John, British Waterways
Latin name: Luronium natans
Population numbers:
There are currently thought to be 18 locations where populations of floating water-plantain can be found in England.
Where to see and when:
Flowering plants can be seen from May to August and dense underwater lawns are visible in clear water during winter when many other plants and algae have died off. The Rochdale canal and other canals in the Greater Manchester area support large populations. It can also be found in parts of the Montgomery canal as well as at greater depths in Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake in the English Lake District.
What’s being done:
Natural England is working closely with British Waterways to ensure that canal management and boating do not damage important canal populations. We are also trying to make the most of opportunities arising from canal restoration projects to create new habitats and links between exiting populations.
Our understanding of the ecology of floating water-plantain suggests that it needs large interconnected wetland sites (where temporary pools, ponds, lakes and rivers are connected at least at certain times of year). Such sites have been lost due to drainage and river engineering. Reducing nutrient pollution from sewage and agriculture combined with major landscape scale wetland restoration projects would improve habitat conditions for floating water-plantain and a number of other rare aquatic plant species with similar requirements.
More information:
