Banana Plant - Nymphoides aquatica

The Banana Plant is a unique plant most closely related to lilies as seen in its large heart-shaped, lilypad-like leaves. This plant is named for the tubercles it grows from that are shaped like a bunch of bananas. These tubercles are a type of root structure that store nutrients for the plant.

Banana Plants can be left to sit on the bottom unplanted, or the "bananas" can be partially planted in the substrate to help the plant remain in place. Do not bury more than about a third of each tubercles; burying too much of the tubercles will cause it to root and slowly kill the plant. Over time, a more traditional root structure may grow as well and root the plant even more securely in place. The leaves will eventually grow up to a foot in height and float on the surface of the water, occasionally sending up a delicate white flower.