- Wildlife
- Wildflowers
- Frogbit
Hans Zwitzer
About
Frogbit is an attractive aquatic plant which floats on the surface of ponds, lakes and still waterways. Looking like a small water-lily, it is in bloom during July and August. In the winter, it becomes dormant and its buds are buried in the mud at the bottom of the pond. When it grows back, it provides shelter for tadpoles, small fish and dragonfly larvae.
How to identify
Frogbit has rosettes of small, kidney-shaped leaves that surround a three-petalled, white flower with a yellow centre. The petals look thin and crumpled and are often tinged with brown underneath.
Where to find it
Found in England and Wales.
When to find it
- July
- August
How can people help
Human activity, including the drainage of land for agriculture and development, has resulted in the disappearance of many of the UK's wetlands. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with planners, developers and farmers to ensure our wetlands are protected. You can help too: add native plants and flowers, such as Frogbit, to a wildlife-friendly pond and its margins, and provide shelter for amphibians and nectar for insects. In partnership with the RHS, The Wildlife Trusts' Wild About Gardens initiative can help you plan your wildlife garden.