What is Ontario Doing?

To prevent the further spread and introduction of this unwanted invader in the province, Ontario has regulated fanwort as restricted under the Invasive Species Act. For more information on the Invasive Species Act and Regulations visit www.ontario.ca/invasionON.

Background

Fanwort is an invasive aquatic plant native to the southeastern United States and parts of South America. Today, it has invaded parts of the Crowe River watershed in central Ontario, as well as waters in the northern United States, Asia, and Australia. Since fanwort is a popular aquarium plant, it may have been introduced to Ontario by someone emptying the contents of an aquarium into a waterway, or boats may have carried plant fragments from an infested area outside the province. Fanwort grows and spreads aggressively, forming dense mats under or at the surface of the water. It is most often found in slow moving or stagnant water less than 3 m (9.8 ft) deep. The plant can tolerate cold temperatures and stay green throughout the year. It prefers acidic water with a pH of about 4.8 to 7.8.

Range

In Ontario, fanwort was first found in Kasshabog Lake, part of the Crowe River watershed northeast of the City of Peterborough. Since its discovery in 1991, it has spread within the watershed to North River, South Lake, and Big Mountain Lake. Fanwort has also been introduced in Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, and the northeast and northwest United States.

For an up to date distribution map of fanwort in Ontario, visit www.EDDMapS.org/distribution.

Impacts of Fanwort

The fanwort population growing in the Crowe River watershed is the only known wild population in Ontario. If fanwort spreads outside this area, it could disrupt the plant and animal life in other waterways and interfere with recreation. Other impacts, include:

• It is a fast-growing plant, that forms thick mats that crowd out native plants, block sunlight to submerged plants, disrupt fish communities, and clog drainage canals and streams.
• Dense stands of fanwort can hinder swimmers and boaters and prevent other recreational uses of waterways.
• Because fanwort thrives in acidic water, it could spread to lakes on the Canadian Shield, which tend to be acidic.

How to Identify Fanwort

• Fanwort is a submerged plant that roots on the bottom of lakes and rivers.
• Under the water, pairs of finely divided fan-shaped leaves grow on opposite sides of the main stem, creating a feathery effect.
• The plants also have small, floating oblong leaves up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long.
• Fanwort flowers from late spring to early fall. The flowers usually rise above the surface of the water. They are 0.6 – 1.5 cm (0.2 – 0.6 in) wide and white to pale yellow, sometimes with a purple or pink tinge.

Fanwort looks similar to other aquatic plants, including bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris), white-water crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis), northern water-milfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum), water marigold (Megalodonta beckii), and coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum). Only fanwort has opposite, finely divided, fan-shaped leaves on distinct stems.

What You Can Do

• Learn how to identify fanwort and how to prevent accidentally spreading this plant with your watercraft. This is especially important in Kasshabog Lake, Crowe River, and connecting waterways.
• Avoid infested areas or reduce your speed when travelling near fanwort infestations. Your propeller can break off fragments and spread the pieces to new areas.
• Clean, Drain, Dry your boat, trailer, and equipment after each use. Remove all plants, animals, and mud before moving to a new waterbody.
• Avoid planting fanwort in your aquarium or water garden. Aquarium hobbyists and water gardeners should only use native or non-invasive plants, and are encouraged to ask retailers for plants that are not invasive.
• If you find fanwort or another invasive species in the wild, please contact the toll-free Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711, visit EDDMapS, or search for the ‘Invasive Species in Ontario’ project on iNaturalist.org to report a sighting.

Resource Files

Other Resources

• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• Ontario Invasive Plant Council
• Invasive Species Centre

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