Photo: MPI
A variety of invasive aquatic weed which chokes waterways and can threaten native plants has been discovered in a Tauranga suburb.
Five clumps of the arrowhead weed have been pulled out of a stormwater drain in Bethlehem.
The weed was already known to be in Waikato and Auckland.
Arrowhead was introduced as a pond and aquarium plant and its large glossy, arrow-shaped leaves can grow up to 24cm.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council spokesperson Andrew Blaney said its seeds float and can be quickly spread by birds or pond overflows.
