Whats the best plant for newts (smooth and palmate) to spawn on?

[King Edward]

Originally Posted by N0z

thanks for the info and i google'd mares tail but 2 different types of plant came up , which one is the real one ? http://www.gardenadvice.co.uk/howto/.../horsetail.jpg or http://old.rcplondon.ac.uk/garden/20...6-06%20062.jpg

Neither! These are horsetails in the genus Equisetum (confusingly, sometimes also called mare's-tail), which is related to ferns. You want Mare's-tail (Hippuris vulgaris), which is a flowering plant (completely different to the others, although similar looking). Try searching for Hippuris vulgaris.

[GCN lova]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Water cress, water mint and water forget me not are all good for great crested newts but tend to be avoided by smooth/palmate as they are harder for them to create folds in. However all three species are a welcome addition to a wildlife pond.

oops thanks Dogghound. ive forgotten what newt that site was talking about.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by GCN lova

oops thanks Dogghound. ive forgotten what newt that site was talking about.

To be honest there is no fast or hard rule and they will use a variety of plants especially ones with young small leaves, although ones which retain soft pliable leaves are best.

[Shawit]

The palmates in my pond lay on Water Mint, Starwort, Water forget me not and ( surprisingly to me ) Hornwort. I have never seen them laying on Brooklime in this pond.
I've no longer got Elodea canadensis in this pond which was the only plant in the pond before this spring - have to say they used this successfully.
I have a second pond that only contains Yellow Flag Iris and Kingcup. Palmates also breed successfully in this pond laying their eggs on the roots of these plants.