floating heart

noun

1. any of certain aquatic plants belonging to the genus Nymphoides, of the gentian family, especially N. aquatica, having floating, more or less heart-shaped leaves and a cluster of small, white, five-petaled flowers.
2. a related plant, Nymphoides cordata, of North America, having a cluster of white flowers and round or somewhat oval leaves that are purple beneath.

floating heart

noun

1. any perennial aquatic freshwater plant of the genus Nymphoides , esp N. lacunosum , having floating heart-shaped leaves: family Menyanthaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of floating heart¹

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60