Reproduction: Fringed Water-lilys are able to reproduce prolifically by vegetative and sexual means. It can reproduce by seeds, stolons, rhizomes, or broken off leaves with part of a stem attached.
Seed production usually requires cross-pollination between the long- and short-styled floral morphs, but self-pollination may occur. The release of developed seeds occurs 32-60 days after flowering.
Fringed Water-lily Flower
Fringed Water-lily is an aquatic plant of the family Menyanthaceae native to Eurasia. It has floating leaves that support a yellow flowers with fringed petal margins.
The fruit is a capsule bearing many flattened seeds with stiff marginal hairs. It cannot grow in the shade and has to have a relatively deep body of water. Flowers bloom in July to September, while the seeds ripen from August to October.
How To Identify Fringed Water-lily?
Leaves: Frequently purplish underneath, with slightly wavy, shallowly scalloped margins.
Flowers: Bright yellow, 5-petaled and 3-4 cm in diameter.
Stem: Long branched stolons extending up to one metre or more that lie just beneath the waters surface.
Fringed Water-lily Nymphoides peltata ID Guide
Fringed Water-lily Infestation
Why Is Fringed Water-Lily A Problem?
The Fringed Water-lily is a very aggressive plant that is capable of rapid growth and spread which can displace native species, reduce biodiversity, limit recreation, diminish aesthetic value, and decrease water quality.
It is currently locally established in lakes and ponds in Ireland where it thrives in shallow (<1.5m deep) and nutrient rich waterbodies.
Sediment levels increase with increasing Fringed Water-lily abundance.
Fringed Water-lily - Invasive Species Information
What Is Fringed Water-lily - (Nymphoides peltata)?
Habitat: Aquatic. Ponds, slow moving fresh water.
Distribution in Ireland: Sparse distribution but locally abundant in some places.
Status: Established
Family name: Menyanthaceae
European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 non-native invasive plant species A-Z (Updated 2017)
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There are currently 35 invasive plant species listed in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations (annex 2, Part 1)...
Click on a species from the following list to find out more regarding non-native species subject to restrictions under Regulations 49 and 50.
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American Skunk-Cabbage - Lysichiton americanus
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Waterweeds - Elodea (all species)