Seasonal Wild Flowers

Latin name

Hydrocharis morsus-ranae

Family

Hydrocharitaceae

Flowering season

July to August

English distribution

It is found mainly in the Somerset Levels, the Norfolk

Broads,

the Fens and the far Southeast. It is thinly scattered

elsewhere.

For a map see the BSBI distribution map for– Frogbit

Habitat

It grows in shallow, calcareous, nutrient-poor, freshwater

in ditches ponds, canals and lakes.

It is declining due to drainage of marshes and increased

eutrification.

Description

Frogbit is a native, perennial herb with floating stolons

up to 50cm.

Flowers are monoecious and held above the water

on spathes.

They are up to 3cm across and have 3 white,

overlapping petals with basal yellow markings.

Male flowers have 6 yellow stamens.

Female flowers have 6 bifid styles.

Reproduction in the UK is mainly vegetative.

Leaves are kidney-shaped, up to 5cm and with long

stalks.