The Environment

Egeria guide

Description

What does Egeria look like?

The leaves are dark green, up to 40 mm long and 2-5 mm wide.

The upper leaves join onto the stem as groups of 4 or more, lower leaves may arise in 3’s.

The stems are much branched, 3 mm in diameter and they break easily.

Egeria plants are mostly submerged, but they can grow right to the surface.

Egeria flowers have 3 white petals.

Egeria can grow from very small pieces of stem which break off and form new plants. Spread also occurs when stems layer and form new roots.

In contrast, Canadian pondweed is smaller and most of its leaves arise in 3’s. There are quite large gaps between the groups of leaves.

Where did Egeria come from?

Egeria is originally from South America, but it now a weed in many countries. Egeria is now widespread in the North Island and is also present in Marlborough.