Invasive Pondweed in Wanstead Park

A patch of Floating Pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides was noticed in the Perch Pond, Wanstead Park last year, and was reported to the Conservators of Epping Forest on 26th September 2008.

This North American pondweed has been introduced into garden ponds where it is soon found to be very invasive. Typically, some is then removed, and it then finds its way into watercourses or lakes, and proves equally prolific.

The fact that litle seems to have been done to remove it from what was then a relatively small area of the Perch Pond is a shame, because I have now seen the plant deep into the islands at the west end of the lake, from where I suspect it will be extremely difficult to remove from amongst the vegetation.

It is possible to deal with it, because the Wren Conservation Group did just that on a practical work task in April 2005, clearing a patch at the west end of Heronry Pond (see here). It has not reappeared. I have again informed the Conservators of Epping Forest of the situation, and it is hoped that they will take hasty steps to try to deal with it!

click here for a photograph taken recently of the problem plant in situ in Perch Pond.

Paul Ferris, 11th December 2009