Creeping Primrose-Willow
(Ludwigia repens)
Creeping Primrose-Willow (Ludwigia repens)
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Photo by: © mfeaver | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Uploader: mfeaver | Publisher: iNaturalist |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Ludwigia repens, commonly known as Creeping Primrose-Willow, is a perennial herb that is part of the evening primrose family. It is native to wetland areas such as marshes, ditches, and the edges of ponds and streams in the southeastern United States, particularly the Gulf Coast, and extends into Mexico and the Caribbean. This species typically forms dense mats with creeping stems that can reach up to 30 centimeters in length, rooting at the nodes when they come into contact with moist substrates.
Creeping Primrose-Willow is appreciated for its ornamental value in water gardens and aquariums, where its reddish stems and bright green leaves add color and texture. It blooms with small, yellow flowers that are not particularly showy but add a subtle charm to its appearance. In cultivation, it requires consistent moisture and can grow in full sun to part shade. It is relatively easy to maintain, but gardeners should be cautious of its potential to spread. Ludwigia repens can be propagated easily through stem cuttings, making it a popular choice for aquatic plant enthusiasts. However, it is potentially invasive outside its native range and can outcompete native vegetation, so it is important to monitor its growth and prevent escape into natural waterways.CC BY-SA 4.0
Creeping Primrose-Willow is appreciated for its ornamental value in water gardens and aquariums, where its reddish stems and bright green leaves add color and texture. It blooms with small, yellow flowers that are not particularly showy but add a subtle charm to its appearance. In cultivation, it requires consistent moisture and can grow in full sun to part shade. It is relatively easy to maintain, but gardeners should be cautious of its potential to spread. Ludwigia repens can be propagated easily through stem cuttings, making it a popular choice for aquatic plant enthusiasts. However, it is potentially invasive outside its native range and can outcompete native vegetation, so it is important to monitor its growth and prevent escape into natural waterways.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-1.6 feet
- Width: 0.2-0.4 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: High, Aquatic
- Drainage: Slow, Standing
Common Uses
Erosion Control, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wetland areas such as marshes, ditches, and the edges of ponds and streams in the southeastern United States and the Caribbean
Other Names
Common Names: Sumpludwigia, Creeping Primrosewillow, Creeping Waterpurslane
Scientific Names: , Ludwigia repens, Ludwigia natans, Ludwigia repens var. rotundata, Jussiaea swartziana, Ludwigia repens var. stipitata, Isnardia repens, Ludwigia natans var. stipitata, Ludwigia fluitans, Isnardia repens var. rotundata
GBIF Accepted Name: Ludwigia repens Forst.