Swamp stonecrop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swamp stonecrop |
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| Leaves and flowers of C. helmsii | |
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| Genus: |
Crassula
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| Species: |
helmsii
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Crassula helmsii, often called swamp stonecrop or New Zealand pigmyweed, is a unique plant. It belongs to the Crassulaceae family, which includes many succulent plants. This means it can store water in its leaves. You can find it growing in water or in very wet, muddy areas.
This plant originally comes from Australia and New Zealand. However, it has spread to many other parts of the world. In some places, like the United Kingdom, it has become an invasive species. This means it grows so well that it can take over and harm local plants. Because of this, the UK even banned selling it in 2014!
What Does Swamp Stonecrop Look Like?
Swamp stonecrop has stiff stems with narrow leaves. These leaves grow in pairs, one opposite the other. Each leaf is usually about 4 to 24 millimeters long.
In the summer, this plant grows small white flowers. Each flower has four petals. These flowers grow on long stalks that come out from where the leaves meet the stem. The flowers always stay above the water, even if the rest of the plant is submerged.
Where Does Swamp Stonecrop Grow?
This plant is very adaptable. It can grow in different ways depending on where it is.
- On muddy edges: It often forms thick "carpets" on the muddy edges of ponds. These carpets can cover the entire area.
- Partially in water: It can also grow with part of its stem and leaves in deeper water.
- Completely underwater: Sometimes, it grows entirely underwater. When it does, its stems become longer and stretched out.
One interesting thing about swamp stonecrop is that it doesn't die back in winter. It stays green and keeps growing all year round!
Why is Swamp Stonecrop a Problem?
Even though it's a plant, C. helmsii can cause problems when it grows in new places. It grows very fast and can quickly cover large areas. This can block sunlight from reaching other plants underwater, making it hard for them to survive. It can also make it difficult for animals to move around in the water.
Because it grows so quickly and can harm local environments, it is listed as an invasive plant in many countries. In the UK, there's a law called the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This law says that people must not cause swamp stonecrop to grow in the wild. This helps protect the natural plants and animals that live there.
