Nymphoides peltata

Fringed water lily

Also known as:

Entire marshwort, yellow floating heart

Family: Menyanthaceae

Origin: Eurasia

Hands lifting out stems of fringed water lily from the water.
The top of the leaf is green, while the underside is purplish in colour.
Photo credit: V. Ramey, University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

  • National Pest Plant Accord Species

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Perennial bottom-rooted aquatic herb. Stems are long, branched and creeping below the water's surface, with adventitious roots. Leaves are floating, heart-shaped, < 15 cm in diameter and green, with purple undersides and scalloped margins.

Flowers are yellow, borne singly or in clusters on emergent stalks, and have fringed petals. Seed capsules are green, flattened and contain many hairy-edged seeds.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

  • You must not breed, distribute, release or sell fringed water lily. As fringed water lily is a National Pest Plant Accord species, these restrictions apply within the Auckland region and across the whole of New Zealand.

Habitats

Rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, wetlands, dams, ditches.

Dispersal

Seeds dispersed by water and waterfowl. Human-mediated dispersal through deliberate plantings, ornamental pond escapes and movement of contaminated boats and equipment.

Impact on environment

Potential to form dense mats, outcompeting native vegetation and impeding access to waterways.

Control

Site Management

Increasing shading over the waterway can reduce an infestation. Spraying aquatic weeds result in plants rotting in the water. This decreases dissolved oxygen in the water and in large amounts can kill aquatic life. Consider pulling out and only spraying regrowth in spring.

Recommended approaches

Physical control

Method: Dig out.

Plant parts requiring disposal: All parts.

Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill.

Biocontrol

Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.

Community agrichemical control recommendations

Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray emergent foliage with 100ml glyphosate green per 10L of water.

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Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

The flowers of the fringed water lily.
The flowers are yellow and have five petals.
Photo credit: V. Ramey, University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
A hand holding up a fringed water lily leaf.
It produces dense stands in both still and slow moving water.
Photo credit: V. Ramey, University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
Close up of the furry seeds of fringed water lily.
The seeds float and have many bristles.
Photo credit: V. Ramey, University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants