The shoots are rather stiff, carrying narrow parallel-sided leaves in opposite pairs, each leaf being about 4–24 millimetres (0.16–0.94 in). Small white flowers with four petals are produced in summer on long stalks arising from the upper leaf axils. The flowers are always above water.[citation needed]
Distribution
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On the island of Ireland, C. helmsii has recently been recorded on waste ground in Ireland at Howth Head, County Dublin,[5] and at a number of sites in Northern Ireland.[6]
Ecological aspects
The plant grows on the muddy margins of ponds where it forms carpets with 100% cover, semi-submerged in deeper water, or totally submerged with elongated stems. It does not die back in winter.[6] It has been reported to be very tolerant to copper toxicity[7] and to be a hyperaccumulator of copper.[8]
Cultivation
C. helmsii is able to grow fully submerged in a cool-water aquarium or as a submersed or marginal plant in a pond. Once established it can grow vigorously and may need to be trimmed back. Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 lists this plant as one that must not be caused to grow in the wild.[9]
^Ni Dhuill, E. (2021). "Invasive non-native and alien garden escape plant species on the southern cliffs of Howth Head, Co. Dublin (H21)". Irish Naturalists' Journal. 37 (2): 102–108.
^Statutory Instrument 2010 No. 609 (section 2) The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 9) (England and Wales) Order 2010 (Coming into force 6 April 2010)