''Nymphoides indica'' is an aquatic plant in the

Menyanthaceae Menyanthaceae is a family of aquatic and wetland plants in the order Asterales. There are approximately 60-70 species in six genera distributed worldwide. The simple or compound leaves arise alternately from a creeping rhizome. In the submers ...

, native to tropical areas around the world. It is sometimes cultivated, and has become a minor weed in Florida, where it resembles the native ''

Nymphoides aquatica ''Nymphoides aquatica'' is an aquatic plant in the Menyanthaceae, native to the southeastern United States from Texas to Maryland. It is known variously as the banana plant, banana lily, and the big floatingheart. It is most commonly called the ...

''.

Common name In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrast ...

s include banana plant, robust marshwort, and water snowflake; .

Description

''Nymphoides indica'' spreads by

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

s, forming clusters of leaves, with clustered white flowers about 1 cm across. The flowers are sometimes described as having five petals, but can have more.

Voynich Manuscript

The

Voynich Manuscript The Voynich manuscript is an illustrated codex hand-written in an otherwise unknown writing system, referred to as 'Voynichese'. The vellum on which it is written has been carbon-dated to the early 15th century (1404–1438), and stylistic anal ...

is a mysterious book written in code from

Medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the Post-classical, post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with t ...

times. It features various flora throughout the book. On page 6, a Nymphoides indica takes up most of the page. Voynich_Manuscript_(6)

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5366747 indica Freshwater plants Pantropical flora