Perennial, bottom-rooted aquatic herb. Rhizomes are stout and erect. Stolons are creeping and tuberous. Leaves are floating, round, heart-shaped, < 20 cm in diameter and green with brown flecks on top, with a pink/purple underside. Flowers are yellow, < 15 cm in diameter and borne above the water surface in October – December. Fruit is spherical to ovoid, < 2.5 cm diameter and ripens in summer – autumn.
To help protect our environment:
Still and slow-moving freshwater bodies.
Seeds dispersed by water movement. Vegetative spread from rhizomes and tubers, dispersed by water. Human-mediated dispersal through deliberate plantings.
Forms dense mats and may displace submerged aquatic plants. Reduces dissolved oxygen levels, affecting fish, zooplankton and other native species.
Follow up treated areas 3 times per year.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
Marshwort has thin stolons either on top of substrate or beneath water surface. It lacks large rhizomes.
Fringed water lily has thin stolons either on top of substrate or beneath water surface. It lacks large rhizomes. The petals have fringed edges.
Water poppy has an inflated mid-vein on the underside of the leaves.
Yellow water lily has less rounded leaves and larger spongy rhizomes.
Common water lily has horizontal rhizomes whereas Mexican water lily has vertical ones.
