Floating primrose - willow

• Inland surface waters

• The floating primrose-willow is a perennial aquatic plant native to the American continent.

• Native to North and South America.
• It was imported into France in the 19th century as an ornamental curiosity and has since become established in Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.

• The plant is very fast-growing, being capable of doubling in extent in just three to four weeks
• It not only shades out any other submerged plants but alters the chemistry of the aquatic environment, thereby reducing dissolved oxygen levels and disrupting entire freshwater ecosystems
• Additionally, it blocks up economically important waterways that are used for instance for recreation, fishing or navigation, causing major economic damage
• Given its prolific nature, there is a high risk that it will spread rapidly into further Member States

• Being sold as an ornamental pond plant
• From there, it has the potential to spread to waterways during flood events or through human-derived dumping

• Not present in Northern Ireland

• Once established, the species is difficult to manage
• EU-level action therefore includes a ban on sales and any planting or keeping, including in isolated ponds
• Furthermore, the rapid eradication of any new populations is required to avoid the excessively high costs associated with its management later on
• Where the species has become widely spread, appropriate management measures have to be taken
• Report all sightings

Current Legislative Position (Listed on 03 August 2016)

• This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.