Floating water-plantain  (Luronium natans)

Floating water-plantain seems to flourish best where the water is open, and where there is some disturbance. It does not seem to be able to tolerate competition from other aquatic vegetation, and populations fluctuate considerably in size as a result of dredging operations, or when the water levels drop to expose the bottom. In spite of the fact that over half of the recent (post-1980) records for this species have been from canals, plant populations seem to be more stable at natural sites than artificial ones, such as canals and similar habitats.