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floatingheart

Scientific Name: Nymphoides

Family: Menyanthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Yellow Floating Heart: A Detailed Overview

The Yellow Floating Heart, scientifically known as Nymphoides peltata, is an aquatic plant with a fascinating history and notable ecological impact.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

  • Scientific Name: Nymphoides peltata (S.G. Gmel.) Kuntze
  • Common Names: Yellow Floating Heart, Fringed Water Lily, Water Fringe
  • Synonyms: Villarsia nymphaeoides, Limnanthemum peltatum S.G. Gmel., Nymphoides nymphaeoides (L.) Britton
  • Family: Menyanthaceae (Buckbean Family)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to temperate and tropical Asia and Europe.
  • Introduced to North America and New Zealand.
  • Prefers aquatic environments.
  • Also found in the Mediterranean Sea region.

Ecological Role

  • Considered an invasive species in several regions, including North America and the Mid-Atlantic States.
  • Forms dense mats that can proliferate and can be very hard to eradicate once established.
  • Can negatively impact aquatic resources.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Aquatic, bottom-rooted perennial plant with floating leaves.
  • Leaves are heart-shaped, almost circular, and usually oppositely arranged.
  • Stout, branching stems, up to 2-3 mm thick.
  • Can grow in dense mats.
  • Reproduces prolifically and has abundant, viable seeds that are flat, oval and measure approximately 3 mm in length.
  • Waterlily-like appearance.

Considerations for Pets

  • Grows prolifically, forming dense mats of vegetation which could pose entanglement hazards for aquatic pets.

Considerations for Children

  • Grows prolifically, forming dense mats of vegetation on water surfaces, which could pose drowning hazards for unsupervised children near bodies of water.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Aggressively root in the substrate but can temporarily be free.
  • Similar to Yellow Pond Lily.

Further Information

  • EDIS Publication Aquatic Weeds: Crested Floating Heart (Nymphoides cristata) by Leif N.
  • Yellow Floating Heart (Nymphoides peltata) page of the Non-native Invasive Freshwater Plants, Washington State Department of Ecology.