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Floating Leaved Rooted Plants |
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| Species: | Nymphoides peltata (S. Gmelin.) Kuntze, yellow floating heart, water fringe |
| Family: | Menyanthaceae |
Yellow floating-heart is a perennial, waterlily-like plant that carpets the water surface with long-stalked, heart-shaped leaves. The showy five-petaled yellow flowers occur on long stalks and rise a few inches above the water surface. Yellow floating-heart is a native of Europe and has been introduced in Washington, particularly along the Spokane River near Spokane. |
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Leaf: The heart-shaped leaves are 3 to 10 cm across and alternately arranged on the stems or oppositely-arranged on the flower stalks. The leaves float on the water surface, have slightly wavy margins, and frequently have purplish undersides. Stem: The rope-like stem grows partly underground or along the sediment surface (stolons). Flower: Two to five flowers arise from erect flower stalks. The bright yellow flowers are 3-4 cm in diameter. Each flower has five petals that are arranged like the spokes of a wheel. Each petal has a distinctive fringe along the edges. Fruit: The fruit is a long beaked capsule (to 2.5 cm) that splits on one side. One fruit is produced from each flower. Each fruit contains few to many smooth, shiny seeds with wing-like margins. Root: Short, thick clusters of roots originate from modified stems (rhizomes) growing partly or completely below the sediment. Propagation: Yellow floating heart spreads by water dispersed seeds and stolons. Broken-off leaves with part of a stem will also form new plants. Importance of plant: Yellow floating-heart is a popular water garden plant, but a potential weed when introduced to the wild. Distribution: Native to Eurasia, the Mediterranean area, and introduced to North America. Habitat: Slow-moving rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. May be confused with: Spatterdocks (Nuphar
spp.), which
have much larger leaves, and cup-like flowers without fringed petals.
Water shield (Brasenia schreberi) which has small oval Photographs: Nymphoides peltata closeup of flower, mat in Lake Spokane Line Drawings: Nymphoides peltata |
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Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
floating
leaves often with a jelly-like covering on the undersides, and small
purple flowers. Also other species of Nymphoides (N.
aquatica and N. cordatum), which are be sold as ornamental
plants.
