81 



^'Bidens Beckii' but closer examination revealed that the for- 

 mer scattered growths of Floating Heart were now extensive, 

 solidly massed colonies, almost comparable in density to the 

 growth of Trapa natans in the Mohawk river, described by 

 Muenscher.' Nearly every quiet bay and backwater between 

 Troy and Schuylerville is now occupied by this species, as well 

 as occasional shallow bars in the main stream itself. Only when 



Photo by E. J. Stein 



The Floating Heart. Nymphoides nymphaeoides. From the Hudson River at 

 Waterford, New York, collected by William H. Barker. 



it is in full bloom in August can its relative abundance and 

 beauty be appreciated. 



Its origin here is unknown, but it is probably an escape from 

 some artificial or natural water garden or pool, in which situa- 

 tions it is not infrequently seen in cultivation. 



The three species mentioned in this paper have profoundly 

 altered the appearance of the upper stretches of the Hudson 

 river vegetation, just as at a much earlier time, the White 

 Daisy, the Black-eyed Susan, Buttercup, Queen Anne's lace 

 and other so-called weeds had altered the flora of our upland 

 fields and meadows. The Floating Heart was collected at Nutten 



3 Muenscher, W. C, I.e. 230, 234-242. f. 1-5. 1935. 



