EUROPEAN FROG-BIT
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
NOT NATIVE TO MAINE - INVASIVE
European frog-bit in-situ
Habitat: European frog-bit (or frog’s bit) is found in the floating-leaved plant community. It is a free-floating plant that thrives in open marsh habitat and quiet backwaters, forming dense floating colonies.
Description: European frog-bit is a small free-floating aquatic plant. Its small kidney or heart shaped leaves (1.5 to 6.5 cm long) are not anchored to the bottom sediments. The leaves have elongated stalks (4-6 cm long) and occur in clumps, forming a bouquet-like rosette. Unbranched root-like tendrils (resembling slender bottle brushes) dangle below. The flowers of European frog-bit have three white petals with a yellow center.
U.S. range map of European frog-bit
Origin and U.S. Range: European frog-bit is native to Europe. It is not native to New England and is considered invasive to this area. Nearby populations occur in Vermont and New York.
European frog-bit flowers have three
white petals and a yellow center
Annual Cycle: European frog-bit is an aquatic perennial that propagates primarily by vegetative means. Mature plants send out multiple offspring on trailing runners (stolons). Winter buds (turions) form during the summer, and fall to the bottom as plants begin to decay at the end of the growing season. In the spring the turions break dormancy, bob to the water surface, and sprout new growth. Flowers, followed by fruits, occur during the summer.
Look Alikes: May be confused with fragrant water-lily, little floating heart, spatterdock, and water shield.
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 Water Quality Monitoring |  Aquatic Invasive Monitoring |
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