Yellow Floating Heart

Yellow floating heart Nymphoides peltata (S. Gmelin) Kuntze Menyanthaceae
Key identifying traits Heart-shaped floating leaves have wavey margins and are purplish underneath Showy, yellow, 5-petaled flowers on stalks that rise a few inches above leaves and water surface Two to five flowers arise from each flower stalk Flower petals are distinctly fringed along edges Biology and ecology A perennial aquatic plant reproducing by seeds and new stolons; broken off leaves with part of a stem attached can also form new plants Can form very dense patches, excluding natives species and creating stagnant areas Prefers slow moving rivers, lakes, reservoirs and ponds Native to Eurasia and the Mediterranean region Introduced as an ornamental water plant Control We (in WA) have had no direct experience controlling YFH but it is similar in growth habit to the fragrant water lily and it is expected that methods used to manage water lilies would be effective on YFH- Prevention – Learn to identify plants; know your water bodies; don’t transplant these pretty plants to your home pond or waterfront shorelines; research nursery and catalogue specimens before buying Biological – None known at this time; crass carp don’t eat water lilies (very similar plants) in WA Cultural – Healthy native plant communities help reduce likelihood of establishment but don’t stop it Mechanical – Cutting, harvesting, covering with bottom barrier materials should work Chemical – Aquatic glyphosate may work-permits and special licenses required. The PNW Weed Management Handbook does not list this weed for specific chemical recommendations	flower has fringed edges
	flowers rise above heart shaped leaves
	Lake Spokane in southern Stevens County, summer 1999
*Where found –* The only known infestation in WA is on the Stevens County border with Spokane in Long Lake (Lake Spokane). MSdoc PDF