Water poppy

Water poppy is an aquatic weed with rubbery stems that creep along the bottom of waterways.

Description

• Perennial waterlily like aquatic herb.

• Stems are rubbery and creeping.

• Leaves are thick, glossy and float on the water’s surface. They have a raised main vein along the underside.

• Flowers are distinct with three petals, yellow with a purple centre, 8cm in diameter appearing in late summer.

• No seed is produced in New Zealand.

• Vegetative spread from root fragments via water, machinery, boats and fishing gear.

• Habitats include still or flowing water bodies 2 metres deep.

What you need to know

Water poppy is an aggressive coloniser that forms dense mats on the water’s surface. It shades out and submerges vegetation and restructures aquatic plants and invertebrate.

Management approach

Water poppy is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest, including unwanted organisms, cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, or multiplied, communicated, released, or cause to be released, or otherwise spread.

Control

Do not attempt to undertake control of water poppy yourself. Report any sightings to us.