Nymphoides peltata

Nymphoides peltata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Menyanthaceae
Genus: Nymphoides
Species: N. peltata
Binomial name
Nymphoides peltata
(S.G. Gmel.) Kuntze

Nymphoides peltata (syn. Villarsia nymphaeoides, fringed water-lily, yellow floatingheart, water fringe) is an aquatic plant of the family Menyanthaceae native to Eurasia. It has cordate floating leaves that support a lax inflorescence of yellow flowers with fringed petal margins. The fruit is a capsule bearing many flattened seeds with stiff marginal hairs.[1]

It is commonly found in ponds and slow moving bodies of water. It cannot grow in the shade and has to have a relatively deep body of water. Flowers bloom in July to September, while the seeds ripen from August to October.

Flowers of N. peltata are heterostylous and weakly self-incompatible.

Uses

Nymphoides peltata is an edible plant. Leaves are cooked as a potherb, and so are the stems, but only the interior of the stem is eaten. Flowers are also cooked as potherbs. Seeds are ground and used for other culinary purposes. The fresh leaves are commonly used to treat headaches.

The plants are commonly sold for use in ornamental water gardens. Outside their native range, however, they can escape cultivation and become nuisance noxious weeds. Nymphoides peltata has become an increasing problem in Michigan, where it has been declared one of the "Most Wanted Aquatic Invasive Species" by the Michigan DNR.[2] It has become a problem as an invasive species due to how easily its seeds spread through water flow. It is physically controlled by pulling its roots out of water by hand.[3]


References

  1. ↑ "Nymphoides peltata - Michigan Flora". michiganflora.net. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  2. ↑ "DNR - Michigan's Invasive Species Watch List". www.michigan.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
  3. ↑ "Plants Profile for Nymphoides peltata (yellow floatingheart)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-22.
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