Onagraceae

Ludwigia peruviana

Common Names: Ludwigia

Plant Form: Upright shrub. Size: Up to 3 m tall. Stem: Hairy, especially when young. Dark green to brownish-green, branched. Leaves: Egg to oval-shaped with pointed tips, 5-10 cm long, hairy and with prominent veins. Flowers: Bright yellow 2-4 cm across, singular in fork of upper leaves, usually 4 petals but sometimes 5 or 6. Only last a single day. Fruit and Seeds: Reddish-brown capsule 10-25 mm long containing thousands of seeds. Habitat: Lagoons, swamps, creeks, riverbanks. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from Ludwigia (Ludwigia peploides ssp. montividensis) by smaller leaf stalks, and from Long-leaved primrose willow (Ludwigia longifolia) by being hairy. Impacts: Reduces water flow, increases sedimentation, deoxygenates water, affects water access.