Ludwigia peruviana
Peruvian primrose-willow
Overview
Ludwigia peruviana is a woody-based perennial shrub reaching 6-13 feet (1.8-4 m) tall in saturated soils and shallow water. Stems are erect and branching, covered in soft hairs, and become woody at the base with age. Leaves are alternate, lanceolate to elliptic, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long and 0.5-1.5 inches (1-4 cm) wide, with hairy surfaces and pointed tips. Flowers are yellow with four to five petals, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across, borne singly in the upper leaf axils from summer into fall. The fruit is a four- to five-angled capsule 0.4-0.8 inch (1-2 cm) long containing many small seeds dispersed by water. The species grows along pond margins, ditches, canals, and slow-moving waterways, forming dense stands that displace other emergent vegetation. It spreads by seed and by stem fragments that root at the nodes. L. peruviana is regulated as a noxious aquatic plant in Florida, Texas, and several other jurisdictions, and is listed as a weed of national significance in parts of Australia. In colder regions top growth dies back with frost, though established root crowns resprout where winters stay mild. Growth slows in deep shade and on soils that dry out completely during the growing season.
Native Range
Ludwigia peruviana is native to Central and South America, from Mexico through Brazil and Argentina. It occurs in wetlands, river margins, and seasonally flooded ground at low to middle elevations.Suggested Uses
Ludwigia peruviana has been planted at pond margins and in water gardens for its yellow summer flowers, though this use is now restricted where it has naturalized. In its native range it occupies the emergent zone of ponds and slow streams.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 13'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from midsummer through fall, typically June to October in the Northern Hemisphere. Individual yellow flowers open for one to two days, with plants producing blooms over several months in warm conditions. Flowering ceases with the first frost.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Ludwigia peruviana grows in full sun in saturated soil, shallow water to about 12 inches (30 cm) deep, or consistently wet ground. It tolerates a soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 and grows in mucky, silty, and clay substrates. Plants establish from seed or stem fragments and reach flowering size within a single growing season. In water deeper than 18 inches (45 cm) or in full shade, growth thins and flowering declines. Frost kills top growth; in zones 9 and warmer the root crown survives and resprouts in spring. Cultivation is prohibited in several states and countries because the species spreads through waterways.Pruning
Cutting stems back to the base in late winter removes frost-killed growth before spring regrowth. Repeated cutting below the waterline reduces stand density but rarely eliminates established crowns. Cut fragments root at the nodes and can form new plants if they reach water.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter