Yellow floating heart, a regulated Class B noxious weed, is an aquatic perennial found in still and slow-moving water bodies. Slightly wavy and scalloped, heart-shaped leaves float on the water's surface. Fringed yellow flowers with 5 sepals, petals, and stamens grow on stalks just above the water's surface. This plant roots in underwater sediment and reproduces vegetatively via rhizomes, stolons, and plant fragments, as well as by seed.

Legal Status

Yellow floating heart has been used as an ornamental water plant, however it is highly invasive and very difficult to control. This species is on the Washington quarantine list (known as the prohibited plants list) and it is prohibited to transport, buy, sell, offer for sale, or to distribute plants or plant parts of this species, into or within the state of Washington. It is further prohibited to intentionally transplant wild plants and/or plant parts of this species within the state of Washington.

Distribution

This aquatic Class B noxious weed was introduced to Washington State from Europe. Although the largest infestation is in Long Lake/Spokane Lake in Stevens and Spokane Counties, it does occasionally occur elsewhere in the state, including King County.

All sightings of this plant should be reported as soon as possible to allow for control measures to be taken before it is too widely established. Control of yellow floating heart is required in King County, Washington.

For more information about noxious weed regulations and definitions, see Noxious weed lists and laws.

For more information on yellow floating heart

Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board

Oregon Department of Agriculture

Stevens County Noxious Weed Control Board

What to do if you find this plant in King County, Washington

Please notify us if you see yellow floating heart growing in King County. Our program staff can provide the property owner or appropriate public agency with site-specific advice on how best to remove it. Also, because yellow floating heart is not established in King County, we have an opportunity to stop it from spreading if we act quickly. We map all known locations of regulated noxious weeds such as yellow floating heart in order to help us and others locate new infestations in time to control them.

Yellow floating heart photos

Report yellow floating heart in King County, Washington

• Please notify us through our online infestation form

Locate yellow floating heart in King County, Washington

• Use our interactive noxious weed map and search for yellow floating heart

Related information

• Lakes
• Northwest yard and garden
• Animals, plants and habitat
• Wetland topics

Related agencies

• Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks
• Water and Land Resources Division

Program offices are located at 201 S. Jackson St., Suite 600, Seattle, WA 98104. To contact staff, see the Noxious Weed Control Program Directory, send an email, or call 206-477-WEED (206-477-9333).