Floating Pennywort a problem this year

THE invasive plant, Floating Pennywort is causing problems with its rapid growth this year.

This is of course caused by the hot weather, Janet Friend reports.

Growing rapidly

It has been rapidly growing across the inland waterways and is causing issues for boaters on both canals and rivers, particularly on the latter where it grows extremely quickly and harms fish, insects and native plants, depriving them of oxygen.

Worcester is particularly suffering this year with it spreading on the water, and a councillor stating it has spread further into town and across the canal at great speed, forming lush floating mats on the water’s surface. And the problem is that it could very quickly swamp the waterway, crowd out native plants, and take oxygen from fish and insects.

It was stated that Canal & River Trust was asked when it would take action, but it seems that it is a countrywide problem and is very expensive to remove, though the trust confirmed that some treatment was carried out in the Worcester section a few weeks ago, but financial constraints have limited the extent of its efforts.

Changing climate

A Canal & River Trust spokesperson told:

“The changing climate, with hotter summers becoming more common, is making this natural phenomenon even more of a challenge. The weed isn’t directly harmful but can quickly clog up canals, causing problems for canal users and wildlife.

"Across our nationwide network of canals, our teams are working day-in and day-out removing it and doing what we can, often with specialist boats that scoop the weed from the surface of the water."

The trust use its volunteers to help clear the Floating Pennywort from its waters.