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Native Plant Database

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Nymphoides aquatica (Big floatingheart)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Nymphoides aquatica (J.F. Gmel.) Kuntze

Big floatingheart, Floating hearts

Menyanthaceae (Buck-bean Family)

USDA Symbol: nyaq

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A water-lily-like plant with floating, heart-shaped leaves on long stalks, with a flat-topped cluster of small, white flowers rising just below the leaf blade.

The genus name refers to the plants resemblance to the Water-lily genus Nymphaea. However, its clusters of small, white flowers with only 5 petals make it quite different from the single-flowered, many-petaled Water-lilies. Another floating hearts species (N. cordata), with smaller, green leaves mottled with purple above and smooth beneath, occurs from Newfoundland to Florida, west to Louisiana, and north to Ontario. An introduced, yellow-flowered species is established in the South; it has also been found in the Hudson River Valley of New York, in Missouri, and Rhode Island.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower: Flowers 1/2 inch
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , SC , TX , VA
Native Distribution: Southern New Jersey to Florida; west to Texas.
Native Habitat: Still water
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Any pond bottom

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Blooms ornamental, Bog or pond area, Water garden
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Nymphoides aquatica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Nymphoides aquatica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Nymphoides aquatica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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