In Still Waters

Nymphoides Cristata-Creasted Floating Heart

The first time I noticed the bright little ruffled white flower with a yellow center we had been doing an aquatic application on a long stretch of canal which was chocked by water lettuce. (Plant in lower left corner in above photo intermingled with Cristata-Crested Floating Heart)

From the top of the canal I had noticed little white blooms which appeared to be coming from a water shield plant or water lily plant but the shape was different, more sharp. I was very careful not to hit it with the sprayer since I had never seen it before, figuring we can comeback and hit it again if invasive, but if a native and we wipe it out we will set it back quite a bit.

Later that day we began to notice the flower in quite a few canals, odd because we had never seen it before. Google pays off as we took photos of the flower and matched it up to Nymphoides Cristata-Creasted Floating Heart . This resilient non native invasive aquatic plant first showed up in Lee County Florida, in 1997 and now has made its way through much of the southern peninsula of Florida. If you are an avid fisherman, snagging the Cristata will be troublesome as its roots are about 3-4 feet lower and it is a relatively a strong plant.

The last 2 photos are shots of an alligator and wood stork enjoying still waters, huddled up next to floating water lettuce.

Related posts:

1. Above still waters
2. Whitetail deer waterfront dining
3. “….new waters are always flowing on to you”