Floating Heart Identification & Treatment
Scientific Name: Nymphoides spp. (N. peltata — yellow floating heart; N. cristata — crested floating heart) Category: Floating (rooted) Tier: 2 — Regionally Significant — Common in multiple EPA ecoregions
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Identification
Floating heart has small (1–4 inch), heart-shaped floating leaves that resemble miniature water lily pads. N. peltata produces bright yellow, fringed flowers. N. cristata produces white, fringed flowers. Leaves are often mottled or purplish underneath. Key distinguishing features:
- Small heart-shaped floating leaves (much smaller than water lily)
- Fringed flower petals (yellow or white depending on species)
- Leaves often purplish or mottled on underside
- Aggressive spreading by stolons and fragments
Treatment
Recommended Natural Waterscapes Products:
- Navigate Granular (2,4-D) — Systemic granular for floating-leaved plants.
- Harvester (diquat) — Contact herbicide.
Full Profile
- Native Range: N. peltata — Eurasia. N. cristata — Asia.
- US Distribution: Expanding. N. cristata is particularly aggressive in southeastern US. EPA Ecoregions: Southeastern Plains, Piedmont. USDA Zones 5–10.
- Regulatory Status: Listed as invasive in multiple states. Federal Noxious Weed (N. cristata).
- Habitat: Ponds, lakes, slow streams. Grows in 2–6 feet of water.
- Reproduction: Stolons, fragments, and seed. Small fragments with a single node can establish new colonies.
- Ecological Benefits: Provides some shade and invertebrate habitat. However, dense mats block light and displace native floating-leaved plants.
Sources: Texas A&M AquaPlant – Floating Heart | USDA PLANTS Database
Related Species
- Water Lilies (Nymphaea spp. (fragrant water lily N. odorata, others) and Nuphar spp. (spatterdock/cow lily)) — Floating (rooted), Tier 1
- Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) — Floating (rooted), Tier 2
- Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata (formerly Potamogeton pectinatus)) — Submerged, Tier 2
- Bladderwort (Utricularia spp.) — Submerged (free-floating), Tier 2
- Parrot Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) — Emergent / Submerged, Tier 2
- Cabomba (Fanwort) (Cabomba caroliniana) — Submerged, Tier 2
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