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Pond plants

first lilly leaf under water

 

Mystery plant

I recently bought a specimen of floating plant from a local Aquatic shop, but they didn't know anything about it.

pic1:

pic2:

I asked for help both on this webpage and in free.uk.nature.ponds and received two possible answers:

I think it's called a water chestnut, (trapa natans) if it's one leaf on each
stem, with a bulb-like fatter bit half way down the stem. The shape of the leaf
in your picture is identical although the water chestnut plants I've seen are
deeper green than yours appear. They are annual, with the mature fruit (a black
'nut') dropping to the bottom in autumn where they overwinter and produce new
plants in spring. However I understand that in this country the fruit is unlikely
to mature in our climate unless you have a prolonged warm summer. It may even
not flower at all, I am told, though I have not tried it myself. I'd be interested
in hearing how you get on with it.

and another person, Mark added:

Hi Andy I bought one of these recently too, along with another floating plant
which is similar. I'm sure the one in the photo is water chestnut but I'm far
from knowledgeable on ponds - only started last year. Having a great time with
my small pond though. Mark

which seemed to confirm "Water Chestnut" but then Bonnie from NJ sent me this picture and description of the "Mosaic plant"

click picture for closeup

It's difficult to tell exactly, from this picture, but it does look like my plant or else closely related. The only discrepancy is the size. My rosette is already larger than 15cm, and the leaves appear to have a flatter diamond shape at the stem side

If you can shed any further light on it please email me about it.

this site at www.smallpond.org.uk is maintained by Andy Roberts