NC INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL
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Water Snowflake

Nymphoides indica
Nymphoides indica, also known as water snowflake, floating heart, or robust marshwort, is an aquatic perennial native to tropic areas around the world, including the Caribbean, South America, Asia, and Africa. This plant has begun spreading to non-native tropical areas, such as Florida and Hawaii, where it is considered invasive. In North Carolina, this plant is listed as a Class A State Noxious Weed. This means it cannot be sold, transported or propagated anywhere in the state. 

Water snowflake grows from rhizomes at the bottom of ponds and lakes, resulting in stems that can grow up to 10ft long. The main structure of the plant is found at the water’s surface; its round, flat, emerald-green leaves look similar to those of a water lily, and have a diameter of 2-8”. The flowers of the N. indica are distinct, due to their bright white petals whose edges are densely fringed and give the plant its snowflake appearance. The flowers are 1 inch in diameter, generally have 5 or 6 petals, a yellow center, and bloom on stalks above the floating leaves.
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Nymphoides indica spreads through its seeds, which are brown, spherical, and less than 1.5mm wide. It can also spread through fragmentation, making it hard to manage in unwanted places. Water snowflake can form a dense mat on the water’s surface, thereby impeding water flow, promoting stagnation, and creating low-oxygen conditions. It excludes native plants and alters the nearby ecosystem for insects and animals who are dependent on such natives. Additionally, N. indica impedes recreational activities.

If you think you have seen this plant, please contact the North Carolina Department of Agriculture at 1-800-206-9333 or the Regulatory Weed Specialist at (919) 707-3741 with email jarred.driscoll@ncagr.gov.
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  • Home
  • About
    • Donate
    • Invasives 101
    • Membership
    • Board of Directors >
      • NC-IPC ByLaws
    • Contact
    • Listserve
  • News
    • Iverson Scholarship
    • Wildland Weeds Magazine
    • Calendar >
      • 2018 Workshop
  • NC Invasive Plants
    • Ailanthus Altissima (Tree-of-Heaven)
    • Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive)
    • Ficaria verna (Fig Buttercup)
    • Imperata cylindrica (Cogongrass)
    • Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet)
    • Ligustrum vulgare (Wild Privet)
    • Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)
    • Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stilt Grass)
    • Nandina domestica
    • Nymphoides indica (water snowflake)
    • Paulownia tomentosa (Princess Tree)
    • Persicaria perfoliata (Mile-A-Minute Vine)
    • Pueraria montana (Kudzu)
    • Pyrus calleryana (Bradford Pear)
  • Annual Symposiums
    • 2022 Joint Symposium >
      • 2022 Speaker Presentations
    • 2021 Virtual Conference
    • 2019 Joint Symposium >
      • 2019 Presentations
    • 2018 Annual Symposium
    • 2017 Annual Symposium
    • 2016 Annual Symposium >
      • 2016 agenda
    • 2015 Annual Symposium >
      • 2015 Presentations
      • 2015 Agenda
  • Projects
    • Fig Buttercup Project
    • Eno River Hydrilla Project
    • Awareness Week
  • Awards
    • 2015 Student Competition Winners
    • 2015 EIA Award
    • 2014 EIA Award