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Nymphoides cordata

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Nymphoides lacunosa
  • Villarsia lacunosa
Description

Little floatingheart is a freshwater aquatic plant with delicate white flowers in the Menyanthaceae (buckbean) family. It is found in quiet flowing rivers, streams, and lakes from Canada to FL and primarily in the Sandhills of NC. 

The heart-shaped leaves are green to mottled with red and the undersides are reddish-purple in color. The white flowers appear in summer and are held above the foliage. The plant has clusters of thick roots that float in the water in addition to underground rhizomes.

Use this plant in freshwater ponds or streams. It needs to be submerged in water in full to partial sun conditions. It can also be grown in a pot and submerged in a large tub.

Little floatingheart is a much better choice than the non-native invasive yellow flowering plant, N. peltata.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. The plant is endangered or imperiled in some areas of the USA and Canada.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#white flowers#riparian#NC native#pond garden#native water plant#food source summer#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#Audubon#full sun#freshwater
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#white flowers#riparian#NC native#pond garden#native water plant#food source summer#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#mammals#Audubon#full sun#freshwater
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Nymphoides
    Species:
    cordata
    Family:
    Menyanthaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used by Native Americans medicinally
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern U.S.A. and Canada
    Distribution:
    AL , CT , DE , FL , GA , LA , MA , MD , ME , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , PA , RI , SC , VT. Canada: NB , NL , NS , PE
    Wildlife Value:
    Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates which in turn provide food fo other aquatic wildlife
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heat and drought tolerant.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Water Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The capsule splits open to release seeds from May to September.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are white to cream with a yellow center and 5 petals. They are around 1/2 inch wide and bloom from April to August.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are cordate-ovate, 1 1/4 – 2 3/4 inches long, often variegated with reddish-purple above, underside smooth and reddish
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are often much elongated, green, and very slender. Erect green flower stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil