Yellow Floating Heart (YFH) is an ornamental floating plant that originates in Eurasia. YFH spreads very quickly through its roots and seeds. This vigorous growth allows YFH to quickly take over new water bodies when it gets introduced.
YFH is rooted below the high-water mark, with foliage growing above the water.
YFH was unintentionally introduced to Little Albro Lake in 2006. Regional Council was first notified of YFH in the lake in 2009. In 2024, YFH is now the dominant aquatic plant species in Little Albro Lake, covering most of its shallow surface area.
YFH prefers slow-moving fresh water and can quickly become the dominant plant species in its preferred depth. The species has started spreading into Albro Lake. As a result, the municipality is developing a management plan to contain the spread and remove all remaining YFH from Albro Lake.
Benthic barriers
In 2021, the municipality undertook a pilot project to study the effectiveness of benthic barriers, or material that is placed in lakes and ponds to block sunlight, on eradicating YFH. While these barriers showed some success at slowing down the spread of YFH, the resources required to maintain the program were difficult to sustain.
Benthic barrier in place in Little Albro Lake. Jamieson Lab photo, 2021.
Containing the spread
The municipality will be working with the Province of Nova Scotia to apply a selective herbicide to control the invasive yellow floating heart in Little Albro Lake.
Herbicide application will take place in Little Albro Lake between September 10 – 30, 2024. Signage is posted at public access points to the lake. Signs will be updated with orange stickers while herbicide application is in progress, and for at least seven days following the application. The targeted herbicide will be applied beneath the water surface and will not be applied to the land surrounding the lake.
This work aligns with goals of the municipality’s Integrated Pest Management Strategy. This strategy provides guidelines to identify when and how invasive pests will be managed. As Little Albro Lake is the primary site affected by yellow floating heart, eradicating the plant from Little Albro Lake will greatly reduce its spread into other lakes and water bodies.
When applied beneath the water surface, ProcellaCOR FX (PCP Registration #34732) targets the root systems of broad-leaved plants. While Health Canada has determined the risks to humans and other mammals associated with contacting ProcellaCOR FX are negligible, out of an abundance of caution, the public access to the lake will be restricted during this period.
This work is being completed with approval from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) pursuant to Section 19(3) of the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations (file #23-IMAR-00001) and from Nova Scotia Environment & Climate Change pursuant to Part V of the Environment Act, SNS 1994-95, c.1 s.1 (approval #00062356). This work is scheduled to occur, pending permits, in fall 2024.
Impacts of yellow floating heart
YFA grows aggressively and is generally able to out-compete native developing plants to become the dominant or even the only species in a water body. Replacing native plants can disrupt ecosystems and reduce the resilience of the aquatic environments.
Identifying yellow floating heart
Yellow floating heart is easiest to identify by its round leaves and characteristic yellow flowers. Flower stems stick straight out of the water for a few inches before ending in a bloom. The petals of YFH have frilled edges. It typically grows in dense patches.
Help reduce the spread of yellow floating heart
Yellow floating heart spreads through its thick, tangled roots. When bits of the plant break off, they can re-establish that plant elsewhere as a new plant. It is often transported by birds or accidentally moved around on recreational equipment like kayaks or canoes.
Here are some ways that community members can help stop the spread of this invasive ornamental flower:
- actively monitor lakes in your neighbourhood for invasive species infestations and reporting suspected sightings to 311 or the Nova Scotia Invasive Species Council
- always clean, drain and dry recreational gear like paddle boards and life jackets
- never dump fish tanks into natural freshwater ecosystems