Nymphoides peltata - Water Fringe

Family:	Menyanthaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Width:	1.5
Synonyms:	Limnanthemum nymphoides. L. peltatum.
Range:	Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to Spain, N. and W. Asia to Japan.

Nymphoides peltata (Water Fringe) is a Perennial and a width of 1.5m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Water Fringe will flower in January to March. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, lepidoptera

Soil Information

Water Fringe will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Water Fringe prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Water Fringe should not be planted in shady areas.

Water margins of ponds and slow moving water[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant

Cultivation Details

A water plant growing readily in shallow water in a rich loam[1]. It can be very invasive in a rich soil[56]. Prefers a sunny position[200]. Dislikes acid conditions. The flowers have a delicate, almond-like perfume[245].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves and leaf stems - cooked as a potherb[2, 178, 179, 183]. The interior of the stem is eaten, it is highly esteemed[145, 178]. The leaves are not very palatable[K]. Flower buds - cooked as a potherb[105, 183]. Seed[178]. No further details are given.

• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
Anthelmintic, diuretic, febrifuge, galactogogue, skin. The fresh leaves are used in the treatment of periodic headaches[145, 178, 240]. The plant is diuretic, febrifuge and refrigerant[218]. It is bruised and used in the treatment of burns, fevers, ulcers, snake bites and swellings[218]. The plant contains rutin, but no details are given of the quantity[218].

• Anthelmintic - Expels parasites from the gut.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Galactogogue - Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
• Skin - Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Propagation

Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears[200]. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[56].

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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