Elodea nuttallii
Nuttall’s Waterweed (Elodea nuttallii) is a perennial aquatic plant found underwater that can grow up to 3 metres long.
Native to North America, it was first recorded in the UK in 1966, likely introduced as an ornamental plant for garden ponds.
It produces tiny, white flowers from June to September.
Can grow to 3 metres long.
Has long, narrow leaves up to 3.5cm long, that are found in whorls of 3-4 around the stem.
All Nuttall’s Waterweed plants in the UK are female, which means they don’t produce seeds here. Instead, they reproduce vegetatively—growing from fragments of the plant itself.
This invasive species prefers:
Its ability to thrive in a variety of freshwater habitats makes it a challenge to manage.
There are two non-native Elodea species in the UK:
They’re very similar, but here’s how to tell them apart:
Even experts can struggle to distinguish them, so accurate identification is key to effective control.
Though it may seem like just another underwater plant, Nuttall’s Waterweed can cause serious issues in our waterways:
If these fragments are moved between waterbodies, they can quickly establish new infestations. Human activity is the main driver of its spread—so we all have a role to play in stopping it.
Help us stop the spread of Nuttall's waterweed in the Eden and make sure you Check, Clean and Dry your kit every time you move between waterbodies!
