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Ludwigia peruviana (L.)H.Hara
Peruvian Primrosewillow
Common Primrose-willow
Not native to Florida
This plant is an invasive exotic that is altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives.
This species should never be planted (many with this designation are prohibited by law), and generally should be removed whenever possible.
This invasive plant is common in swamps and along lake and pond margins throughout most of Florida. Ludwigia peruviana is native to Mexico, Central and South America plus parts of the Caribbean. It has also been introduced to Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Puerto Rico and other parts of the world.
Peruvian primrosewillow is a perennial shrub that can grow as tall as 3 to 4 meters (10-13 ft.). Stems are shaggy-pubescent when young, turning brownish-green with age. It has alternate, sessile, ovate, hairy leaves 5-10cm (2-4 in.) long and 1-3cm (< 1/2 to 1-1/4 in.) wide. Leaves rarely are opposite. The showy flowers usually have four (rarely 5) briight yellow wide petals 1-3cm long with 8 stamens. There are 4 pale green sepals 8-12mm (1/3 - 1/2 in.) long.
Ludwigia peruviana is a member of the Onagraceae - Evening Primrose family.
Other species of the Ludwigia genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Ludwigia arcuata - PIEDMONT PRIMROSEWILLOW
Ludwigia linearis - NARROWLEAF PRIMROSEWILLOW
Ludwigia maritima - SEASIDE PRIMROSEWILLOW
Ludwigia octovalvis - MEXICAN PRIMROSEWILLOW
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Dec 18, 2023
