Hydrocleys nymphoides

Hydrocleys nymphoides (Willd.) Buchenau

Family name: Limnocharitaceae
Common name: water poppy
Category: proposed 1a NEMBA

Description
Free- floating aquatic perennial. Leaves, heart-shaped, thick, broad, rounded at the base and taper towards the tip, shiny and dark green in colour.  Stems long and trailing. Flowers light yellow with red and brown centre, produced all season long, if growing conditions are favorable, stands above water. Seeds small, horseshoe shaped.

History in South Africa
Water poppy was introduced into South Africa as an ornamental and horticultural plant. This plant has been recorded at the dam near Cedara Agricultural Research Station in KwaZulu Natal and also in Vaal River.

Environmental and economic impacts
Water poppy has a tendency to block waterways and results in the disturbance of trade and recreational activities. It covers the water surface, resulting in the death of organisms in the water. This leads to low quality drinking water and poses health problems. It reduces sunlight for other aquatic plants.

How it spreads
Water poppy is a stoloniferous plants, and spreads via rhizomes and rooting stems.

How to eradicate
Hydrocleys nymphoides is controlled by hand pulling. There are no herbicides registered for this species in South Africa.
 
What can you do to help?
Report sightings of these plants to the Early Detection and Rapid Response Programme (EDRR) at SANBI. We will need to know its locality (the exact locality, supply any landmarks or GPS information if possible)
 
Contact person
Khanyisa Jama
Email address: alienplants@sanbi.org.za
Tel: 021 799-8762

References

• Bromilow, C. 2010. Problem plants and Alien weeds of South Africa. Briza publications. South Africa
• Invasive species in South Africa. 2010. Hydrocleys nymphoides. Working for water nursery partnership programme. South Africa. Available on http://invasives.org.za/flora-listed-invasives/hydrocleys-nymphoides.html
•  MacRoberts, M.H. and MacRoberts, B.R. 2010. Hydrocleys nymphoides (Limnocharitaceae). New to Louisina. Available on http://www.phytoneuron.net/phytoN-Hydrocleys.pdf
• Martin,G.D and Coetzee, J.A. 2011. Pet stores, aquarists and the internet trade as modes of introduction and spread of invasive macrophytes in South Africa. Available on website http://www.ajol.info/index.php/article/viewFile/68488/56566
• South African plants invaders atlas database. ARC - Plant protection research institute, Pretoria, South Africa. Available on: www.agis.agric.za
• Stephens, K.M. and Dowling, R.M. 2002. Wetland plant of Queensland: a field guide. CSIRO publishers. Australia.

See more on invasive plants and their catergories

Prepared by Buhle Mthembu
October 2011