A bit about European Frogbit:

via Christian Fischer / Wikimedia
European Frogbit may look beautiful – like tiny, white water lilies floating on the edges of ponds and slow-moving rivers. But this plant is a ruthless invader.
Frogbit was brought to Canada in 1932 as an ornamental pond plant. But it’s now spread to places such as the bays and marshes of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, and tributaries to the Saint Lawrence River.
It forms dense mats that shut out light for the vegetation below. It also leaves little room for ducks and wildlife to move… not to mention that it hinders boating, fishing, and swimming.
If it’s stuck to your boat, Frogbit can jump to new areas. So clean, drain and dry your vessel before launching somewhere new.
Get Schooled:
- Learn more facts about European Frogbit from the USGS.
- Get the facts, and how you can help, with this site from Michigan State University Extension.
The Fine Print:
- This segment was produced with Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future.






