European frog’s-bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Sp. Pl.: 1036 (1753))

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1036 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hydrocharis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Caucasus, NW. Africa

Description

European frog’s-bit, known scientifically as Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, is an enchanting aquatic plant belonging to the Hydrocharitaceae family. First described in 1753, this species has carved a niche for itself across a broad stretch of habitats ranging from Europe and the Caucasus to the northwest regions of Africa.

European frog’s-bit is a free-floating perennial that brings a touch of delicate beauty to the water bodies it inhabits. This plant typically resides in slow-moving or still waters, such as ponds, lakes, and quiet streams. The leaves of Hydrocharis morsus-ranae are small and rounded, resembling miniature lily pads, which float gracefully on the water’s surface, creating an ideal habitat for various aquatic fauna.

The plant showcases ephemeral, yet charming flowers that bloom in the summertime. These blooms are small, white, and dainty, with three petals surrounding a brilliant yellow center. The flowers rise on slender stalks just above the water surface, providing a striking contrast against the green leaves.

One of the intriguing aspects of European frog’s-bit is its reproduction. It can propagate through both sexual and asexual means. While the small flowers aid in sexual reproduction, forming seeds that contribute to the plant’s spread, it predominantly spreads asexually. The rosettes of leaves produce stolons, or horizontal stems, that create new plants as they float away and establish new colonies.

The plant plays a significant ecological role in its native habitats. By forming dense mats on the water surface, it creates a shady underwater environment, which helps to maintain cooler water temperatures and provides a habitat for aquatic life. However, these dense mats can also become problematic, potentially obstructing waterways and impacting human activities.

In the aquarium and pond plant trade, European frog’s-bit is admired for its ornamental value and ease of care. When introduced into garden ponds or water features, it offers aesthetic appeal while also contributing to the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem by providing shelter and breeding grounds for small aquatic organisms.

Whether appreciated for its ecological contributions, its aesthetic allure, or its historical standing in botanical literature, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae remains a noteworthy and fascinating species within the realm of aquatic plants.

Common Names

Eng: common frogbit, european frog’s-bit, frog’s-bit, frogbit, european frog-bit, european frogbit, common frog-bit
Deu: europäischer froschbiss, froschbiss, froschbiß
Nor: froskebit
Dan: frøbid
Swe: dyblad
Nld: kikkerbeet
Fra: petit nénuphar, hydrocharide grenouillette, hydrocharis grenouillère, morène, grenouillette
Cym: ffugalaw bach
Ita: morso di rana
En: European frog’s-bit, Frog’s-bit, Frogbit, Common frogbit, European Frog-bit, European Frogbit, European Frog’s-bit, Common frog-bit
Be: Жабнік звычайны
Bg: Жабешка водянка
Ca: Mos de granota
Hr: Vodarka
Cs: Voďanka žabí
Da: Frøbid
Nl: Kikkerbeet
Et: Konnakilbukas
Fi: Kilpukka, Sammakonkilpukka
Fr: Grenouillette, Hydrocharis Grenouillère, Hydrocharis des grenouilles, Morène des grenouilles, Morène, Petit nénuphar, Hydrocharide grenouillette, Hydrocharide, Hydrocharis, Hydrocharis morène
De: Europäischer Froschbiss, Gemeiner Froschbiss, Gewöhnlicher Froschbiss, Froschbiss, Froschbiß
He: מימון הצפרדעים
Hu: Békatutaj
It: Morso di Rana
Lt: Plūduriuojantysis vandenplūkis
No: Froskebitt, Froskebit
Fa: چتر قورباغه
Pl: Żabiściek pływający
Ru: Водокрас лягушачий, Водокрас обыкнове́нный
Sk: Vodnianka žabia
Es: Mordisco de rana
Sv: Dyblad
Th: ตับเต่านา
Uk: Жабурник звичайний
Cy: Ffugalaw bach

Synonyms

• Sagittaria triflora (Miq.)
• Hydrocharis asarifolia (Gray)
• Hydrocharis rotundifolia (Gilib.)
• Hydrocharis morsus-ranae f. terrestris (Glück)
• Hydrocharis batrachyodegma (St.-Lag.)
• Hydrocharis morsus-ranae subsp. vivipara ((Ces.) Arcang.)
• Hydrocharis asarifolia var. odoratissima (Gray)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Michigan (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 31, 2019 by Jeroen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2019 by Gimenez Herve (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2022 by Taej Mundkur (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 30, 2017 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2022 by Júlia Illés (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2020 by Craig Winston (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2022 by Simon Tamás (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by stefaan hoste (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jun 22, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2021 by Анна (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2022 by pierre carret (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by ar lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by PANJU BORKAKATY (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5329266)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:431799-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 6