Species Description

Fanwort is a submerged bright green aquatic plant with leaves arranged in a fan shape manner that are distinctly oppositely arranged on a long and narrow stem. Floating lily-like leaves are found on the water’s surface during flower production. Flowers are small, white and emergent. The plant stands approximately 1-10 feet tall. Fanwort flowers from July through September.

General Information

Fanwort is a native plant of the southern United States, Latin and South America. It is currently in nine waterbodies in southern New Hampshire. This exotic plant was discovered in New Hampshire in the late 1960s and entered the state via a transient boat trailer, or was dumped from a tropical fish aquarium. Recently, this plant had been spreading at the rate of one new lake each year. Characteristic of many exotic plants introduced to a new environment, Fanwort quickly invades shoreline areas of waterbodies, ultimately impairing recreational activities and aquatic ecology. Please contact the Department of Environmental Services at (603)271-2248 if you have seen this plant.
Visit our website for more information: www.des.nh.gov/wmb/exoticspecies.