Nymphoides of Thunberg

Nymphoides Thunberg, scientific name Nymphoides thunbergiana. The natural habitat extends to South Africa and the island of Madagascar. Occurs in lakes, swamps, backwaters and other bodies of standing water, in shallow water along coastlines.

The mother plant forms a short, thick stem and large, flat, rounded floating leaves up to 30 cm in size. Bunches of new shoots develop along the entire length of the stem. It blooms with yellow or white “fluffy” flowers.

In nature, during a dry period, when the water level drops sharply or the reservoir practically dries up, roots form in the nodes of the leaves and for a while the plant turns into a miniature soil bush.

Due to its size, it is rarely found in home aquaria. Mainly used as an ornamental pond plant in combination with water lilies. Nymphoides Thunberg is easy to maintain. Optimum growth conditions are achieved with a water depth of 30–40 cm, soft nutrient soil and high light levels.