Ludwigia palustris is a species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family known by the common names marsh seedbox,[2]Hampshire-purslane[3] 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 epithetpalustris is Latin for "of the marsh" and indicates its common habitat.[4]
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.[5]
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.
Flowers with visible stamens
The greenish-white flowers are born on the leaf axils and reach 2-3 cm long.[5] 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.[5] They are pale green in color, with darker green stripes along the angles. The sepals are persistent, remaining present on the developed fruits.[6]
Roots extending from the nodes of the stem, with axillary flowers visible
Distribution and Habitat
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.[7]
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. [7]
Conservation Status
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).[8]
The plant can be highly invasive outside its native range, very adaptable, and reproduces asexually.[9]Ludwigia palustris poses a potential threat to wetland vegetation in Victoria, Australia. It has spread to riverbanks in Northeastern Australia and other areas.[10]
Cultivation
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'.[11]
123Cooke, 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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
