Water Fern is small leafed, free-floating aquatic fern that forms dense mats on the surface of slow moving or still water bodies such as drainage ditches, canals, ponds and lakes. It spreads mainly through vegetative means although can release spores into the water which can produce new plants.

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It outcompetes native water plant species by forming these large surface mats which prevent sunlight from penetrating the water surface, leading to de-oxygenation of the water and also killing off air breathing insects as they cannot reach the surface to breathe. Further problems arise from lack of sunlight which leads to lower than expected water temperatures affecting local biodiversity.

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IMPORTANT: Very dense mats of Water Fern can appear solid to walk on to the untrained eye so special care must be taken when walking in areas known for areas of standing or slow moving water.