Scientific name:  Nymphoides

 

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Floating
  • Alternate
  • Long leaf stalks

Flowers:

  • White or bright yellow in color

Stem:

  • Stout

Roots:

  • Short
  • Clustered

Where Does it Grow?

Floating heart can be found in quiet flowing rivers, streams and lakes.

Pros and Cons of Floating Heart

Floating heart has no known direct food value to wildlife. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

 

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

 

Information and photos courtesy of AquaPlant A Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae.