Nymphoides

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Nymphoides >

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Read about Nymphoides in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Nymphoides (Nymphaea-like). Syn. Limnanthemum. Gentianaceae. Floating-heart. Ornamental aquatic herbs. Perennial, fibrous-rooted, stoloniferous or proliferous, with floating foliage: Lvs. ovate or orbiculate, heart- shaped at the base, rarely peltate, with a closed sinus, entire or slightly wavy: peduncles with 1, 2 or many fls.; fls. white or yellow, in spring and summer, borne in the axils or on filiform sts. apparently from the petioles; corolla wheel-shaped, deeply 5-cut; lobes fringed or not; stamens 5, fixed at the base of the corolla.—Species about 20 in fresh water, in tropical and subtropical regions around the world and reaching into temperate parts. The generic name is in dispute, it having been known heretofore as Limnanthemum. This genus and a very few others are sometimes separated in the family Menyanthaceae, distinguished from Gentianaceae in habit, in alternate or basal Lvs., and different aestivation. The floating-hearts of cultivation are most useful ornamental aquatic plants, and are represented in cultivation by but four species. Nymphoides lacunosum is hardiest of American species; its mottled, variegated leaves, about 2 inches broad, are very attractive, regardless of its dainty, white, miniature flowers. It is best grown under natural conditions, in pools and still water, and in water about 2 feet deep. It may also be grown in tubs, as a surface covering, with a few tall plants in the center. N. aquaticum, commonly known as the fairy water-lily, is a much stronger grower: leaves deep green, and, when grown in natural ponds, attain large proportions, 4 to 6 inches broad, and bears innumerable flowers, more like flakes of snow. It is also valuable for tub culture, similar to the preceding species N. indicum, commonly called water snowflake, is undoubtedly the most interesting and attractive of any, and deserving of most general cultivation. The leaves are of a light green color, heart-shaped, and it produces flowers in greater abundance, which are much larger and covered completely with hirsute glands. These, as in the other species, are produced in clusters on the petioles, near the surface, and, although they are of but one day's duration, they are produced in such quantities that there is never any lack of these delicate flowers all through the season. In tub culture, this species will soon crowd itself over the edge of an ordinary tub. and, although the leaves no longer float on the surface, it does not affect the growth or the proliferousness of its flowering. When grown in tubs, the receptacle should be filled two-thirds with moderately rich, loamy soil, covered with sand, and filled and kept filled with water. All three species, when strong enough to produce flowering leaves or petioles, send forth new shoots, as each cluster of flowers apparently terminates with a bud and produces leaves; these, when strong, produce flower-buds and leaf-buds again, and thus soon reproduce themselves. N. aquaticum produces a cluster of fleshy roots, with a bud from single leaves in fall, which are plentiful in Florida in the season. These are excellent for distribution, and can be sent safely a great distance. The petioles are very brittle and easily snap off, but the floating leaf soon emits roots at the broken end as well as where the flower-buds are located; thus it is very free and proliferous. These are very desirable aquatic plants. The fourth species, N. peltatum, is a rampant, weedy plant, although its mottled foliage is beautiful and the flower is much larger than those of the above plants. Its habit of growth is also different, it produces runners, and rambles over an immense space; it also produces seed in great quantity, which, when ripe, floats on the surface for a short time, then sinks to the bottom; it is best confined to the limits of a tub, where it grows freely and produces its large yellow flowers in profusion. It is hard to eradicate when once established, as it is perfectly hardy. All the floating-hearts are very pretty and useful for tub culture, but after knowing the water-lilies the general public desires more bold and striking plants. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

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