Elatine hydropiper.
Life-form & Growth Form:
Hydrophyte/aquatic therophyte. Amphibious. Annual. Shortly creeping, rooting at nodes.
Flowering period:
July and August.
Habitats:
Shallow water, damp mud and silty sand in lakes and canals. Confined to mesotrophic & eutrophic habitats. Lowland.
Threats:
Drainage and infilling of lakes and canals. Historic lowering of Lough Neagh water levels. Lack of canal maintenance resulting in in-filling with rank vegetation. Eutrophication of habitat from agricultural fertilisers. Inadequate surveying means this species could decline to extinction without warning.
Static distribution map:
