Nymphoides cordata
USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustration: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. Vol. 3: 18.
What is Little Floating Heart?
Physical Characteristics
Leaves:
- Heart to oval shaped
- 1.25-2.75 inches long
- Reddish-purple in color on top
- Smooth on bottom
Flowers:
- White-cream in color
- Yellow in center
- 0.2-0.4 inches across
Where Does it Grow?
Little floating heart can be found in quiet flowing rivers, streams and lakes.
Pros and Cons of Little Floating Heart
Floating heart has no known direct food value to wildlife. 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.