|
|
Plant
Identification
Banana Lily (Floating
Heart)
 Description Management
Options Other
Photos
Nymphoides
aquatica
Banana lily is a perennial
plant with leaves that arise from "banana-shaped" rhizomes on the
long slender petioles. The floating leaves are 2 to 6 inches in diameter,
kidney to heart-shaped, yellowish-green above and reddish-purple underneath,
with obvious veins. Flowers are small, white, in clusters on short
stalks that rise above the water's surface. The fruits are capsule-like
and contain many seeds. Late in the growing season clusters of fleshy,
tuber-like roots form below the flowers.
Submerged portions of
all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro
invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by
fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks,
etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria
and fungi provides food (called "detritus") for many aquatic invertebrates. The banana lily has no known direct food value to wildlife.
Back
to Top
Emergent
Plant Index
Back
to Top
|
" indicates Non-Native plants.