How did it come in Dampflippers? Was it from another plant? I hope you managed to get it all out. It is amazing how soon these things can overtake our garden ponds. I got a few 'extras' when someone gave me a plant. One was quite a prolific oxygenator. Don't know what it's called and it is really nice, but it has taken up a lot of the pond. The other was duckweed which I had never had in the 9 years of ponding. I like it when the little frogs pop their heads up amongst it, but again it is taking over. We just have to be diligent taking out as much as we need to.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alisons pond and garden

Hi, I spent some time yesterday trying to unthread it from the other plants. It was rooted into a nurphur pot, so this has gone on the compost heap too. Hopefully I have got most of it. I sent off a photo and have had it confirmed that it is swamp stonecrop. The advice was to remove it by hand whenever I see it, and hopefully it will be totally gone after 3 years!
I don't mind my duckweed, but every spring I try to remove all the azolla before the other plants grow up through it.
I'm going to have to thin out the other plants soon, especially the watercress. I'll have to be more careful than previously because of my baby newts :o)

Hi Damp,

What does this stuff look like? Ive put a search in but can't find a pic.

Big Kid

I've put a photo in the gallery, but there is a link to the photo below.
They still sell it in garden centres, pond shops and ebay!

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks for the pic, Damp. Nope, that ain't what I've got! Sorry, no decent digital camera yet to upload a pic of mine. Maybe a description will solve the mystery...

Evergreen, floating plant which sends out suckers across the surface. The leaves are up to 1" across and are quite pretty, with edges a bit like clovers, but loads of ins and outs. Bit hard to describe! No flowers. I was given a bunch from a garden pond in Essex about three years ago and I've no idea what it is, except that it's a bit of a thug if not kept in check. The good thing is that it lives through the winter, so at least provides some cover when the water lilies have died back.

I once had a wander along the river Wandle in South London and I saw a load of it in one spot. Wonder if birds spread it or what?

All guesses gratefully received!
Big Kid

Hmmm, it could possibly be floating pennywort which is another alien invader and also causes problems in wild ponds and waterways.
Look up Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
http://www.ceh.ac.uk/sections/wq/documents/24Hydrocotyleranunculoides.pdf
(You may have something completely different)

Here is a link that might be useful: floating pennywort

Blimey, Damp, you're a mine of information! Hydrocotyle ranunculoides it is. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Must say I wouldn't have recognised it from the first two pictures but the third one shows it clearly. Mine doesn't grow in high, thick clumps like the first two pics.

Strange thing is that I don't remember seeing either flowers or fruits, but maybe they're more underwater. I've checked out the land version and it isn't that one, though mine has managed to send a couple of suckers out that have hit the surrounding soil. I dig it out when this happens. I also only allow one patch of about 18" on the pond and get rid of the rest in the green waste sack. Never fancied putting it on the compost heap for some reason.

One thing I found worrying was that it mentions that it deoxygenates the water. I have to say that I've never had a problem with that, even though I have no pump or filter in my 9' x 8' pond. I have Hornwort and Elodea Crispa for oxygenators. I have eight goldfish and frogs. I add more Elodea every year because I think the fish eat them.

Well, I'm used to it in the pond and I want to keep it, so I'll just keep it in check. I was going to give some away to a friend but I'll think twice now!

Thanks again.
Big Kid

Yep, we have got some, so it looks like I will be out there soon digging it out. I suppose it really does have to be burnt given it is such a hazard to dispose of?

A friend has it and their pond levels are going down due to the amount of water it uses. Any suggestions about efficient ways of getting rid of it? It seems to break off easily which will cause more problems...

Chip

If it's in your own pond you can take it out carefully by hand and compost it. Try not to break it because it can grow from one node. So very gently. Then a week later take out any remaining bits. Then check every couple of weeks.
Don't put it where it could get into other waterways or ponds.
If it is rooted into any pots you may have to take these out.
Don't give it away or sell it on Ebay, and don't give away plants or creatures or fish from your pond until you have been clear for a year.