Nymphoides indica

Nymphoides indica
A flower with six, rather than five petals
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Menyanthaceae
Genus:	Nymphoides
Species:	N. indica
Binomial name
Nymphoides indica (L.) Kuntze

Plant habit

Nymphoides indica is an aquatic plant in the Menyanthaceae, native to tropical areas around the world. ^[1] It is sometimes cultivated, and has become a minor weed in Florida, where it resembles the native Nymphoides aquatica . ^{[2] [3]} Common names include banana plant, robust marshwort, and water snowflake; ^[4]

Description

Nymphoides indica spreads by rhizomes, forming clusters of leaves, with clustered white flowers about 1 cm across. The flowers are sometimes described as having five petals, ^[5] but can have more.^{[ citation needed ]}

Voynich manuscript

The Voynich Manuscript is a mysterious book written in code from Medieval times. It features various flora throughout the book. On page 6, a Nymphoides indica takes up most of the page.

References

1. Karuppasamy, S.; Rao, M.L.V.; Beentje, H.J.; Lansdown, R.V. (2019). "Nymphoides indica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 e.T168916A120213259. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T168916A120213259.en . Retrieved 8 June 2025.
2. "Nymphoides indica Water snowflake". Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
3. "Nymphoides indica". NatureServe Explorer. The Nature Conservancy . Retrieved 3 June 2025.
4. USDA GRIN Taxonomy , retrieved 23 July 2016
5. Ting-nung Ho; Robert Ornduff, "Nymphoides indica (Linnaeus) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 429. 1891", Flora of China