Wavy Marshwort, Australian Marshwort, Yellow fringe, Yellow water snowflake
Nymphoides crenata

Family: Menyanthaceae

What it is like

A herb which grows in water. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems are 2 m logn and float. They have stolons or runners. The leaves are the base are 3-15 cm long and broadly oval. They are on long stalks. The leaves are deeply heart-shaped at the base. They are bright green and shiny above but can be dull and waxy underneath. There are rounded teeth along the edge. The stem leaves are smaller. The flowering stalks can have a few or many flowers. The flowers are about 3.5 cm across. They are yellow. They have 4-5 lobes. There is a fringe around the edges. The fruit is a capsule 0.5-1 cm across. It has a short beak. There are many straw coloured seeds about 0.6-1.2 mm long. They are smooth and shiny.

There are about 20-40 Nymphoides species. Not now in Tasmania - recorded in error.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in slow flowing water about 1.5 m deep. Plants root in the mud. It needs warm climates and plenty of sun. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The small round tubers are roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Root, tubers, flower stalks

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or dividing the stem runners.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Limnanthemum crenatum F. Muell.;