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Creeping Water Primrose, Floating Primrose-Willow, Water-primrose - Ludwigia peploides


Family: Onagraceae - Evening Primrose family Genus Common Name: Primrose-willow Native Status: NativeDicot Perennial Herb
Ludwigia peploides - Creeping Water Primrose, Floating Primrose-Willow, Water-primrose. Ludwigia (Primrose-willow) is a large genus with over 80 species worldwide - it is found on every continent except Antartica. While more are found in temperate and tropical climates than in the colder areas, they do range into northern climes, and Canada has banned the import of at least 2 species in the genus (Ludwigia hyssopifolia and Ludwigia prostrata) and over 30 species are found in the United States. The species presented here, Ludwigia peploides, is native to parts of North America (primarily the Southeast), but it has spread dramatically with the spread of man, and has become a significant invasive plant in other parts of the United States. For example, Washington State has named it a Class A Noxious Weed, requiring landowners to eradicate it when it is found on their property.

As with most Primrose-willows, Ludwigia peploides has an affinity for wetlands, and can be either aquatic in depths up to 10 feet (thus the Floating Primrose-willow common name) or terrestrial, where the Creeping Primrose-willow common name would be more appropriate.

Found in:
AL , AR, AZ, CA, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV

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Ludwigia peploides

Distribution of Ludwigia peploides in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
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Site: Riverwalk, Amnicola Marsh, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2016-June-18Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson
Nikon D7000
Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Ludwigia peploides forms in the leaf axils and has five yellow petals, 5 green sepals, and 10 stamens surrounding a cylindrical pistil. The base of the petal is usually orange, providing an attractive flower.
Ludwigia peploides
Site: Riverwalk, Amnicola Marsh, Hamilton County, TN Date: 2016-June-08Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
Nikon D7000
If Ludwigia peploides is growing in water it floats, sometimes matting and clogging the waterway. When terrestrial it is prostrate, with the red or green, glabrous (occasionally sparsely hairy) stem growing up to 30 inches long. The leaves are alternate and glossy on their upper surface.
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Ludwigia peploides
References used for identification and information:
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Ludwigia peploides initially published on USWildflowers.com 2016-07-27; Updated 2017-03-02

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302