Flora of Northern Ireland
Elodea canadensis
© Paul Hackney
Elodea canadensis
© Roy Anderson
Elodea canadensis
© Ian Dodkins
Elodea canadensis
(Map updated: March 2008)
Elodea canadensis
© Roy Anderson
 

This pondweed was accidentally introduced into Ireland from North America. The first ever report of its occurrrence anywhere in Europe was at Waringstown, Co. Down in 1836. It subsequently spread at a tremendous rate across Ireland and Great Britain and is now extremely common in lowland lakes, ponds, canals and slow rivers.

The two sexes are on separate plants. The spread is entirely by vegetative means because only female plants occur in the British Isles, so seed-set is impossible.

All names: Elodea canadensis Michaux

NBN Atlas mapping: Species account : NBN Atlas UK Species Observations database

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database