Beware of fringed water lily
The fringed water lily is a foreign invasive water plant which can cover large areas of the water surface and outcompete native aquatic plants. This in turn causes altered habitats in the water which affects aquatic animals. Fringed water lily also has a negative impact on birdlife, making it difficult for the birds to find food in the water. The fringed water lily affects water quality by increasing the amount of organic matter. This in turn affects water quality with lower oxygen levels and increased amount of nutrients. Outdoor activities are also adversely affected, as dense colonies of fringed water lily can prevent people from swimming, fishing and boating. Control measures to eradicate the invasive water plant are carried out in Lake Åsnen and Mörrumsåns catchment area.
The fringed water lily originates from Central Europe and Asia. The plant was introduced to Sweden in the late nineteenth century and has been used as an ornamental plant in ponds and has now spread to several lakes and rivers in the south of Sweden. Fringed water lily has fringed yellow petals, flowering July to August. The leaves are rounded, with wavy edges and a size up to 10 centimeters.
More information:
www.lansstyrelsen.se/kronoberg
- Do not take boats or canoes through or close to colonies of fringed water lily.
- Do not fish in or close to colonies.
- Do not swim through colonies, due to risk of drowning.
- Be sure to clean boats, canoes and fishing gear of any plant parts and collect the plant parts carefully to avoid spreading into the water.
- Do not pick up or move fringed water lily.
- Please note that see traffic is prohibited in certain areas due to the presence of fringed water lily.
