Eurasian Frogs-Bit

Hydrocharis morsus-ranae

Eurasian Frogs-Bit

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

Weed class: monitor list
Year Listed: 2012
Native to: Asia and Europe
Is this Weed Toxic?:

not known to be


Legal listings:

This plant is on the quarantine list. It is prohibited to transport, buy, sell, offer for sale, or distribute plants or plant parts of quarantined species into or within the state of Washington or to sell, offer for sale, or distribute seed packets of seed, flower seed blends, or wildflower mixes of quarantined species into or within the state of Washington. Please see WAC 16-752 for more information on the quarantine list. For questions about the quarantine list, contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture's Plant Services Program at (360) 902-1874 or email PlantServices@agr.wa.gov.


Why Is It a Noxious Weed?

This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington. Please contact its sponsor Wesley Glisson wgli461@ecy.wa.gov to report locations or for more information.

How would I identify it?

General Description

A small, floating, aquatic plant

Flower Description

3 round white petals surround a yellow center, which grow on short stems above the water surface

Leaf description

Round, lilly-pad shaped leaves that are 0.3-2 inches wide. 

Stem description

No stems besides the stalk leading to the flower, and the spreading stolons

Fruit Seed Description

small berries

Where does it grow?

Still water, like ponds and ditches

How Does it Reproduce?

Seed and by stolons that tangle across the water surface

How Do I Control It?

Please refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook, or contact your county noxious weed coordinator.

Additional Photos