Floating Pennywort

[Phill]

Triffid-like plant 'taking over Thames', says professor http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-41584157
I've not seen any yet. Anyone aware of it?

 

[jct1981]

Went from Windsor to Thames & Kennet marina on the weekend. Didn't see any, and that stretch is downstream of Reading (as quoted in the article), but it could be in the central Reading reach (Caversham to Mapledurham locks). Will keep an eye out.

 

[The Glassman]

It’s all along the lower Dreadnought reach, down to Sonning Lock and beyond now.
Quite an attractive plant, but potentially a real menace. A couple of years ago, it just wasn’t there.

 

[Old Crusty]

This ought to be reported to the EA's bio-diversity team in Wallingford and the Team Leader for the reach in Reading.

 

[Wavey]

I live close to the River Wey and just below Newark Lock it's rife. Never seen it on the Wey before. In a couple of places on this stretch it's barely navigable.

 

[jct1981]

It’s all along the lower Dreadnought reach, down to Sonning Lock and beyond now.

Blimey - I need to keep my eyes open!

 

[boatone]

I raised the issue of pennywort with the EA and have just had this response via Twitter:

we have started removing pennywort today on the Thames in the Sonning area and work will be continuing tomorrow.
Public can advise us of presence of this species on our Incident Hotline: 0800 80 70 60

 

[TrueBlue]

Thank you!

 

[Phill]

Thank you!

+1. Thanks Tony.