Presentation by MDC biologist on the invasive plant species Yellow Floating-Heart.

1. Yellow Floating-Heart
Nymphoides peltata
Darren R. Thornhill
Fisheries Management Biologist
MO Dept. of Conservation
3500 S Baltimore St.
Kirksville, MO 63501

2. What does it look like?
• Round to heart-shaped leaves (3-12 cm
diameter)
– Undersides are often purple
• Two to five yellow flowers (2-4 cm diameter)
– Fringed petals (5) above water surface
– Flowers May to October

5. Ecology
• Reproduces by seed and fragmentation
• Prefers slow moving water and/or damp mud
• Found in depths ranging from 0 to 4 meters
• Develops dense, monotypic mats

6. How did it get here?
• Native of eastern Asia and the Mediterranean
• Sold and cultivated in New England as a water
garden plant in 1890’s
• First noted in western states in 1930 (Long
Lake, Washington)
• Commonly cultivated and sold for ornamental
use in ponds

7. How do we get rid of it?
• Prevention is paramount!
• Biological control is unknown
• Mechanical control is not recommended
• Chemical control is preferred
– Dichlobenil (effective, but not labeled for aquatic)
– Glophosate (requires multiple treatments)
– Imazapyr (requires multiple treatments)