Limnobium spongia

Description

Frog’s-bit is a perennial plant that can be rooted or free-floating. Leaves are on stalks, simple and can vary in shape from round, to egg-shaped, to kidney, or heart-shaped, to 3 1/2 inches wide. Leaves often float on the water’s surface. Young floating leaves are often heart-shaped and have a spongy, purplish underside. Flowers are small, white (with 3 petals and 3 sepals) on a stalk about 1/3 the height of the leaves. Flowers can be above or below the waters surface.

Frog’s bit occurs in stagnant waters of quiet lakes, ponds, ditches, and lagoons. The dense covering creates great habitat for small animals, attracting marsh birds. Frog’s-bit seeds are eaten by waterfowl..