Lagarosiphon major, Curly Waterweed

Curly Water Weed is a fast spreading semi-evergreen aquatic perennial which is native to South Africa. In many countries including New Zealand it is listed as an invasive species. It forms cluster of branched stems in spiral arrangement. Its flowers have white or pink colour in the summer. In UK it is used in domestic and ornamental ponds as an oxygenator and for water purification. This plant is growing in an ornamental pond in the Botanical Gardens of Dunham Massey, Cheshire. It grows vigorously and enjoys lots of sunlight throughout the year. It also requires some maintenance in order to not overtake the whole pond. The water in this pond is very clear compare to the water inside the neighboring pond where no curly water weed can be spotted. This curly water weed shares the pond only with some water lily plants which don’t present a very big competition.