Wingleaf Primrose-willow

Scientific Name: Ludwigia decurrens Walter

Wingleaf Primrose-willow

General Information
Usda Symbol	LUDE4
Group	Dicot
Life Cycle	AnnualPerennial,
Growth Habits	Forb/herb
Native Locations	LUDE4

Plant Guide

Alternate Names

Upright primrose, wingleaf primrose-willow, primrose-willow

Uses

The common name primrose comes from the flower’s resemblance to evening primroses (Oenothera species), since most have 4 petals. The more woody species of Ludwigia are very good browse for deer, goats, sheep and cattle. In fact, this species is rarely found in overgrazed pastures.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

General: Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae). Ludwigia decurrens, a native, is the tallest water primrose, reaching a height of 3-6 feet. This perennial is somewhat “woody”, which is unusual for species of water primroses. It is considered an annual to perennial. It also stands upright in contrast to most Ludwigia species, which trail along the ground or water. The leaves are usually linear (hence the name willow primrose), alternate, and entire. The flowers are yellow with 4-5 petals (usually 4). Also, common to the Ludwigia genus is the “seed box” located immediately below the flower. In fact, some refer to the entire genus as “seedboxs.” Willow primrose has a very distinctive stem that is 4-winged and can be distinguished from all other water primroses by this unique characteristic. Robert Mohlenbrock USDA, NRCS, Wetland Science Institute @ PLANTS There are approximately 11 species of Ludwigia in Texas. All species are found in wet sites and all but one species have yellow flowers. Six species have erect growth habits. Vegetatively, Ludwigia alternifolia is the most similar, but it does not have the distinctive winged stems and the seedbox is not nearly as long. Ludwigia decurrens has one of the longer “seedboxs” of all Ludwigia, attaining lengths of up to ¾ inch.

Distribution

Found from Texas and Florida to Pennsylvania and Michigan. For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Establishment

Adaptation: This species is found throughout the eastern half of Texas and well into north central Texas, It is found as individual plants scattered within the plant community, but can make up over 50% of the plant community, Unlike many of the floating water primroses, it is seldom found in sites that pond for long periods, Usually, it occurs on saturated soils and sites the pond for short duration (3-14 days), Ludwigia ducurrens is commonly associated with species of Polygonum (smartweed) and Cyperus (flat sedge), It is typically found on wetter sites than Ludwigia alternifolia, but dryer than the more herbaceous species of water primroses (L, peploides, L, repens, and L, palustris), Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) These plant materials are readily available from commercial sources, Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information, Look in the phone book under ”United States Government, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Wingleaf Primrose-willow.,” The Natural Resources

Conservation

Service will be listed under the subheading “Department of Agriculture.”

References

Davis, L. 2000. Texas plant fact sheet: Ludwegia decurrens. USDA, NRCS, Nacogdoches Technical Office #2, Nacogdoches, Texas. USDA, NRCS 2000. The PLANTS database. <http://plants.usda.gov>. 001206. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Morphology/Physiology

Reproduction

Suitability/Use

Wingleaf Primrose-willow

Wingleaf Primrose-willow

Wingleaf Primrose-willow

Wingleaf Primrose-willow

Wingleaf Primrose-willow

Wingleaf Primrose-willow