Creeping Marshwort
Apium repens
Creeping Marshwort (Apium repens) is a representative of the genus celery (Apium) from the Apiaceae family. It is a herbaceous perennial, with a 5-30 cm long creeping hollow stem that takes root on the knodes. The leaves are pinnately compound, with coarsely jagged ovate feathers and pale yellow-green in colour.
It proliferates on nutrient-rich, open, light, moist and occasionally inundated sites with organic, peat, muddy or sandy substratum. Its characteristic natural sites are banks of inland waters, shallow spring waters and low fens and floodplain grazing grasslands. It is found on rare sites in Eastern and Southern Europe, while individual isolated sites can also be found in North Africa in Morocco. In Slovenia, it was last supposedly recorded in 1997 south of Središče ob Dravi on moist sandy soil on gravel bars (Jogan et al., 1999).
Threat factors
Creeping Marshwort is considered a highly endangered species. It has adapted to the natural changes and flood dynamics of water banks. As soon as natural river dynamics is interrupted, the areas with sites suitable for Creeping Marshwort are quickly occupied by more durable, higher species with canopies. It is threatened by interrupted bed load, the absence of natural dynamics of gravel bars, the reduction of suitable structures of its habitat, and the spread of nonindigenous invasive species.
Project activities
In order to preserve the Creeping Marshwort, we will implement the measure of species resettlement or reintroduction or repopulation of the species into nature to the area of sites suitable for it.
Why do we need Creeping Marshwort?
- It contributes to all levels of life diversity (to genetic, species and ecosystem diversity), which is often not sufficiently appreciated but a very important asset.
What can we do to hasten the conservation status of the Creeping Marshwort?
- If we happen to come across this plant, we should not collect it! We can of course observe or photograph it, but certainly not pick it!
- We should not plant, sow, or host alien species if there is a risk of a plant becoming invasive.
- Prefer to decorate your gardens with indigenous plant species.
- Removal of invasive alien species is recommended.
- Disseminate the facts about the traps of having alien species among your friends and acquaintances.
