Water Pennywort is currently an eradication species on Aotea, it is native to North America and parts of South America.
Water Pennywort can grow as a creeping plant or floating mat depending on conditions. It spreads by rhizomes underground. It can spread through stem fragments that break off during floods and grow from dumped garden waste. It forms dense mats that outcompete all other plants, you can see this example in the photo below out in Lord Howe Island where it is a major pest plant. It could hybridise with native Hydrocotyle species as well. Currently there are only a few localised infestations on Aotea, Water Pennywort is something we want to contain and not to spread into our world class wetlands on Aotea. If you see, report it.
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Words by Niklas Erikson, Auckland Council Biosecurity Senior Conservation Advisor
