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Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.
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Threats
The threat to this plant comes mainly from the opening up of the canals to leisure craft, which stirs up the mud and ooze increasing the turbidity of the water. In rivers, its preferred habitat has been reduced greatly by straightening of channels, dredging and pollution.
Conservation
Floating water-plantain is listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP), and is included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. There are a number of organisations involved in protecting the future of this plant, including the Countryside Council for Wales, and British Waterways who are the lead partner. Amongst the measures proposed are the provision of 'sanctuary' areas of the canal, protected by piling, where the water-plantain can grow without excessive disturbance and where the turbid water stirred up by boat traffic will not cause harm. It has also been proposed that where canal restoration might involve damage to the plant populations, reserves should be created for the water-plantain so that it can be re-introduced following completion of the engineering work.
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The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.
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There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
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