Nymphoides peltata
Water fringe
(c) Clay Gibbons, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Menyanthaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Nymphoides peltata (Water fringe) is a non-native California herb in the Menyanthaceae family, recognized by Eurasian aquatic genus occasionally naturalized - represents bog-bean family (Menyanthaceae) in aquatic habitats.
Water fringe is a naturalized perennial found in northern Sierra Nevada Mountains at Trout Lake in El Dorado County and coastal California, occurring in still water and slow-moving rivers at approximately 1,100 meters elevation. Flowering from June to September, this aquatic plant produces distinctive yellow flowers 30 to 40 millimeters in diameter with wide, thin, wavy, and fringed-ciliate margins. Growing with creeping stems up to 160 centimeters long and floating flowering stems, it spreads extensively across water surfaces. Its leaves are 3 to 10 centimeters wide with wavy or entire margins, creating a broad, floating canopy. The plant produces flat, ovate seeds with coarse ciliate edges, contributing to its unique aquatic adaptation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Eurasian aquatic genus occasionally naturalized - represents bog-bean family (Menyanthaceae) in aquatic habitats
Habitat and range
Habitat: Still water, slow-moving rivers
Elevation: +- 1100 m.
Outside California: Washington, northeastern United States, Arkansas, Arizona, native to Eurasia, Mediterranean
Bloom period
Nymphoides peltata blooms Jun-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Menyanthes: Nymphoides has simple floating leaves and yellow flowers; Menyanthes has 3-parted leaves and white-pink flowers.; vs Verbascum: Nymphoides has floating aquatic leaves; Verbascum is terrestrial with fuzzy, upright rosette leaves.; vs Cressa: Nymphoides has large floating heart-shaped leaves; Cressa has tiny scale-like leaves on upright stems.; vs Tiquilia: Nymphoides is aquatic with floating leaves; Tiquilia is a low desert plant with small hairy leaves.; vs Petunia: Nymphoides has floating leaves and flowers on water; Petunia is terrestrial with trumpet-shaped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nymphoides peltata native to California?
No. Nymphoides peltata is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Nymphoides peltata bloom?
Nymphoides peltata blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Nymphoides peltata belong to?
Nymphoides peltata is in the Menyanthaceae family, genus Nymphoides.
What habitat does Nymphoides peltata grow in?
Nymphoides peltata grows in Still water, slow-moving rivers.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.