Weed profile: Hydrocotyl
Hydrocotyl/Water pennywort
Hydrocotyl
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Hydrocotyl, also known as water pennywort, is a native of South America, tropical Africa and Asia and was first recorded in Australia in 1983 near Perth. It is a perennial plant with long stolons that are able to grow out over water, and floating, lobed leaves around 10 cm in diameter. In 1992 an infestation of hydrocotyl covered one third of the water surface along a 7 km stretch of the Canning River in Western Australia. Small flowers (3 mm in diameter) occur in clusters of 5-10 on slender stalks mostly from spring to autumn, producing small (2-3 mm in diameter) segmented fruit. Spread is by movement of fruit or by growth of stolons.
Watch out for and report hydrocotyl
Hydrocotyl is a Class 1 noxious weed in NSW under the Noxious Weeds Act 1993. It must be eradicated and land must be kept free of the plant. As a notifiable weed, all outbreaks must be reported to the local council within three days, and the plant is prohibited from sale in NSW.
If you have seen this plant please contact your local council Weeds Officer, your nearest NSW Department of Primary Industries office, the NSW Weeds Hotline 1800 680 244 or email weeds@dpi.nsw.gov.au