Pondside Plant - got me stumped!?

[svenrufus]

These pictures were taken at about 8pm today at a balancing lagoon in Burgess Hill, Sussex.
It was growing among some Typha and was spreading out into a patch - I have more photos if they are needed to help ID it.
I'm just not even sure where to start to be honest. ( embarrassed botanist ) I really hope someone can tell me what it is.
Thanks for your help
Sven

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...sideplant1.jpg
http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...sideplant2.jpg

[Deer Stalker]

Iv'e seen the same stuff in a pond in the New Forest & couldn't ID it either.
Got to be an introduction.

[svenrufus]

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Iv'e seen the same stuff in a pond in the New Forest & couldn't ID it either.
Got to be an introduction.

I'm really hoping so, will really save my blushes. It's very pretty, can't believe I wouldn't have known it if it was native.
File under 'Foreign Rubbish'

[Tursiops2]

It's not Water Hyacinth, is it?
Water hyacinth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[svenrufus]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

It's not Water Hyacinth, is it?
Water hyacinth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't think so, although it looks like a good lead.
The text on Wikipedia says it is free floating, whereas the one I saw was rooted in the mud.
Might be related though as the flower is a pretty good match.

[AlanS]

It is Pontederia cordata, Pickerelweed.

Origin: North America, now naturalised in scattered localities in the UK.

Alan

[svenrufus]

Originally Posted by AlanS

It is Pontederia cordata, Pickerelweed.

Origin: North America, now naturalised in scattered localities in the UK.

Alan

Splendid, many thanks for that.
Never heard of it before.
Is it a problem plant or does it behave itself quite well?
Cheers
Sven

[AlanS]

Originally Posted by svenrufus

Splendid, many thanks for that.
Never heard of it before.
Is it a problem plant or does it behave itself quite well?
Cheers
Sven

Hi Sven,

Like many aquatics it spreads vegetatively - as you have already observed - so I suppose it has potential to be a local problem, but so far as I know it is not aggressively spreading in the way that a few other aquatics are.

Alan

[AlanS]

By the way, what is a "balancing lagoon"?

Balancing is not a behaviour I associate with lagoons.

Alan

[aeshna5]

I've seen Pontederia naturalised in a couple of places in UK, but in Florida Everglades where Pontederia is common, the flowers are very attractive to butterflies such as Palamedes Swallowtails. I've never seen a butterfly on 1 in UK gardens though.

Bit like Lantana used in butterfly houses; I've never seen a UK butterfly when it's grown outside. An attractive plant, but a weed in many tropical countries!