Species Action Plans - Floating water plantain
  (Luronium natans)

A slender aquatic perennial, with long-stalked elliptical floating leaves. The flowers are about 15mm across, with 3 white petals each with a yellow spot. Found in canals and other quiet waters. Current Status Current factors causing loss or decline in Norfolk Current Action In Norfolk Action Plan Objectives and Targets Management Guidance Key contacts References

Ref  1/S28 Species Action Plan 28 Plan Author: English Nature Plan Co-ordinator: English Nature January 2003 Review complete Click to view the  floating water plantain Action Plan

Current Status

National Status

• The distribution of this plant is localised in the UK, with recent records from Wales, the West Midlands and Northern England. Floating water-plantain is listed on Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive and Appendix I of the Bern Convention. It is protected under Schedule 4 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994 and Schedule 8 of the WCA 1981.

Norfolk Status

• This species was introduced into the Broads many decades ago. A stable population, discovered in 1979, is present in the Potter Heigham area. This is the only known population in Norfolk.

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Current factors causing loss or decline in Norfolk

The threats to this species in the Broads include intensive dyke maintenance, lack of channel management and the maintenance of the supply of water of an appropriate quality and quantity.

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Current Action in Norfolk

The Broads population has been monitored over the years by the Castle Museum, Norwich and English Nature. A translocation experiment has been undertaken in the past, however it proved unsuccessful. The site is being managed under an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) agreement and English Nature has provided detailed management advice to the landowner. A monitoring exercise in the Broads was completed in 1995.

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Action Plan Objectives and Targets

National

• Maintain the present range
• Where the potential exists, increase the size of individual populations
• Develop a strategy to safeguard the species, wherever possible, in canal habitats
• Ascertain the importance of the UK population in a European context 

Norfolk

• Maintain the population at Potter Heigham 
• Where the potential exists, increase the size of the population 
• Develop management advice to safeguard this species 
• Ascertain the importance of the Broads population in a UK and European context

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Management Guidance

(This guidance is a general summary; for detailed information or advice consult the references or contacts below.)

This plant is an opportunist, growing best in open water conditions. It has been described as "a prolific opportunist" in the wake of a severe disturbance by dredging or other clearing operations. However it is unable to compete once the ditch becomes overgrown.

Management should therefore aim to retain the ditch in a fairly open condition, without removing the plant altogether during works. Clear three-quarters of the way across the dyke every two to three years. Work from different sides each time.

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Key Contacts

General Information

• English Nature, Norfolk Team, 60 Bracondale, Norwich, NR1 2BE
  Telephone: 01603 620558 Fax: 01603 762552 Email: norfolk@english-nature.org.uk

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References

Willby, N J and Eaton, J W. 1993. The Distribution, Ecology and Conservation of Luronium natans (L) Raf in Britain. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management. 31 : 70-76.

Beckett, G and Bull, A (1999) A flora of Norfolk. Norfolk: Gillian Beckett.

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