Bushy Seedbox
(Ludwigia alternifolia)
Bushy Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia)
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mefisher
Public Domain
Image By:
mefisher
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Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: mefisher | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: mefisher | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-08-17T11:17:51-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Ludwigia alternifolia, commonly known as Bushy Seedbox, is a deciduous perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including wet meadows, marsh edges, stream banks, and damp thickets in the Eastern half of the United States. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and a spread of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters). The plant features lance-shaped leaves and bears bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers in the summer, which are moderately showy and attract pollinators. After flowering, it produces a distinctive square seed capsule that resembles a small box, hence the common name.
Bushy Seedbox is valued for its wildlife benefits, as it provides food for various pollinators and its seeds are eaten by waterfowl. It is used in rain gardens, naturalized areas, and as a component of wetland restoration projects due to its tolerance for wet conditions. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers consistently moist to wet soils with slow to medium drainage. While it is not particularly drought-tolerant, it can adapt to occasional flooding. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread by self-seeding and may require management to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Bushy Seedbox is valued for its wildlife benefits, as it provides food for various pollinators and its seeds are eaten by waterfowl. It is used in rain gardens, naturalized areas, and as a component of wetland restoration projects due to its tolerance for wet conditions. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers consistently moist to wet soils with slow to medium drainage. While it is not particularly drought-tolerant, it can adapt to occasional flooding. Gardeners should be aware that it can spread by self-seeding and may require management to prevent unwanted naturalization.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wet meadows, marsh edges, stream banks, and damp thickets
Other Names
Common Names: Rattlebox, Seedbox, Ludwigie À Feuilles Alternes
Scientific Names: , Ludwigia alternifolia, Ludwigia microcarpa, Ludwigia alternifolia var. alternifolia, Ludwigia alternifolia var. linearifolia, Ludwigia alternifolia var. pubescens, Isnardia alternifolia, Ludwigia macrocarpa, Ludwigia salicifolia, Isnardia alternifolia var. salicifolia
GBIF Accepted Name: Ludwigia alternifolia L.