Floating water-plantain (Luronium natans [L.] Rafinesque) is an aquatic plant endemic to Europe. It has a complex life history and ecology and is notoriously difficult to identify. Consequently, it has been the subject of past misconceptions, notably regarding its distribution, ecological requirements and population dynamics.

L. natans has a number of apparently discrete reproductive strategies, defined here as: annual flowering; perennial flowering; and perennial vegetative. It occurs as dynamic metapopulations that contain different populations with different reproductive strategies. Any monitoring or conservation programme that does not take account of the dynamics of metapopulations and the requirements of the different reproductive strategies will not adequately represent the requirements of the species.

Monitoring will provide a means by which data can be fed back into the system to refine conservation action. Further research is needed to explain the ecological requirements of some populations.

The range of L. natans extends from southern Norway and Sweden in the north, through the Republic of Ireland and France to northern Spain, east to Poland and historically the Czech Republic, where it is now extinct. This is a much narrower range than has generally been accepted. Further survey work and a review of herbarium specimens are needed to confirm and enhance understanding of this range.

Ecology of the Floating Water-plantain

Monitoring Protocol for the Floating Water-plantain

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