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| Ludwigia palustris | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Onagraceae |
| Genus: | Ludwigia |
| Species: | L. palustris
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ludwigia palustris | |
Ludwigia palustris is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common names marsh seedbox,[3] Hampshire-purslane[4] and water purslane. This is an aquatic or semiaquatic perennial herb which grows in moist to wet to flooded areas. It is sometimes a weed. The species epithet palustris is Latin for "of the marsh" and indicates its common habitat.[5]
Description
[edit]L. palustris forms prostrate, sprawling mats in wet, disturbed areas. Its stems are semi-succulent, reddish in color, and smooth or slightly hairy. As the stems spread along the ground, roots form from the nodes. At maturity, the stems may reach 10-40 cm long.[6]
The leaves are opposite, smooth, oval-shaped, and reach up to 4 cm long. They have a winged petiole and are often reddish-green in color.
The greenish-white flowers are born on the leaf axils and reach 2-3 cm long.[6] They lack petals, and are composed of 4 triangular-shaped sepals and 4 white-tipped stamens, set above a cube-shaped, 4-angled ovary.
The fruits are small, cube-shaped capsules, 2-3 cm long.[6] They are pale green in color, with darker green stripes along the angles. The sepals are persistent, remaining present on the developed fruits.[7]
Taxonomy
[edit]Ludwigia palustris was given the scientific name Isnardia palustris in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. It was moved to the genus Ludwigia by Stephen Elliott in 1817. Together with its genus it is classified in the family Onagraceae. Though it has not accepted varieties, there are five variety names among its 21 synonyms.[8]
| Name | Year | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dantia palustris (L.) Des Moul. | 1859 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Isnardia ascendens Hall ex Eaton & Wright | 1840 | species | = het. |
| Isnardia nitida Poir. | 1813 | species | = het. |
| Isnardia palustris L. | 1753 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Isnardia palustris var. americana DC. | 1828 | variety | = het. |
| Isnardia palustris var. riparia Boenn. | 1824 | variety | = het. |
| Isnardia palustris var. rivularis Boenn. | 1824 | variety | = het. |
| Isnardia palustris f. submersa Glück | 1911 | form | = het. |
| Jussiaea isnardia E.H.L.Krause | 1901 | species | = het. |
| Ludwigia apetala Walter | 1788 | species | = het. |
| Ludwigia nitida Michx. | 1803 | species | = het. |
| Ludwigia palustris var. americana (DC.) Fernald & Griscom | 1935 | variety | = het. |
| Ludwigia palustris f. elongata Fassett | 1939 | form | = het. |
| Ludwigia palustris var. inundata Svenson | 1935 | variety | = het. |
| Ludwigia palustris var. liebmannii H.Lév. | 1912 | variety | = het. |
| Ludwigia palustris var. nana Fernald & Griscom | 1935 | variety | = het. |
| Ludwigia palustris var. pacifica Fernald & Griscom | 1935 | variety | = het. |
| Ludwigia palustris f. submersa Eames | 1933 | form | = het. |
| Ludwigia palustris var. typica Fernald & Griscom | 1935 | variety | ≡ hom., not validly publ. |
| Peplis portula Schrank | 1818 | species | = het., nom. nud. |
| Quadricosta palustris (L.) Dulac | 1867 | species | ≡ hom. |
| Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym | |||
Distribution and habitat
[edit]L. palustris is circumpolar species with a large native range. It occurs in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. It occurs as a naturalized or invasive species in Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand.[9]
The species is generally restricted to low elevations, where it grows on shallow bodies of water such as reservoirs, ditches, and the banks of ponds, rivers, and streams. It requires wet, muddy or sandy soils poor in calcium but rich in humus and nutrients. [9]
Conservation status
[edit]L. palustris is designated by the IUCN Red List and NatureServe as a secure (G5) species globally. In North America, it is also designated as secure (N5) in both Canada and the United States. In some states and provinces, it is designated to be at higher risk. In both Arizona and Prince Edward Island, it is ranked as a critically imperiled (S1) species. In New Mexico it is imperiled (S2). In Kansas, Iowa, and Quebec it is vulnerable (S3).[10]
The plant can be highly invasive outside its native range, very adaptable, and reproduces asexually.[11] Ludwigia palustris poses a potential threat to wetland vegetation in Victoria, Australia. It has spread to riverbanks in Northeastern Australia and other areas.[12]
Cultivation
[edit]L. palustris is cultivated for use in aquariums and aquascaping. It is often sold under the names Ludwigia 'super red', Ludwigia 'mini super red', or Ludwigia 'red'.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ Lansdown, R.V. (2013). "Ludwigia palustris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013 e.T164352A13565290. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T164352A13565290.en. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ NatureServe (13 May 2016). "Ludwigia palustris". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ NRCS. "Ludwigia palustris". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 22 December 2015.
- ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ^ Smith, Archibald William (1997). A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meanings and Origins. Dover Publications. p. 258. ISBN 9780486297156.
- ^ a b c Cooke, S.S, ed. 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society. Seattle Ausubon Society, Seattle, WA, 417pp. Hitchcock, Leo C. and Arthur Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA, and London, England, 730pp.
- ^ Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2026. Flora of the southeastern United States Web App. University of North Carolina Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, U.S.A. https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=show-taxon-detail.php&lsid=urn:lsid:ncbg.unc.edu:taxon:{CC02D80A-AC35-45C9-B774-489E5B011E04}. Accessed Jan 1, 2026.
- ^ POWO (2026). "Ludwigia palustris (L.) Elliott". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ a b Dítě, Daniel; Jr, Pavol Eliáš; Dítě, Zuzana; Šimková, Andrea (2017-03-31). "Recent distribution and phytosociological affiliation of Ludwigia palustris in Slovakia". Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 86 (1). doi:10.5586/asbp.3544. ISSN 2083-9480.
- ^ NatureServe (5 December 2025). "Ludwigia palustris". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "Biological control of invasive water primroses, Ludwigia spp., in the United States: A feasibility assessment" (PDF). Journal of Aquatic Plant Management. 59: 67–77. 2021.
- ^ "Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet Ludwigia Palustris". Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ Aquarist, The 2Hr. "How to grow Ludwigia sp. 'Super red'". The 2Hr Aquarist. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
External links
[edit]- Jepson Manual Treatment
- Missouri Plants Photo Profile
- Illinois Wildflowers
- VT Weed Identification
- Photo gallery
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- Water Purslane