Seedbox

(Ludwigia alternifolia)

 

   

 

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia L.)

Identification: Flowers yellow, with 4 petals and 4 stamens. Stigma undivided. Sepals broad, triangular, alternating with the petals, and straight, not curling downward. Seed capsule square at the bottom with 4 triangular, pointed apical flaps. Flowers and seed capsules on short flower stalks, nearly sessile to the stem. Leaves elongate, alternate, with smooth outer margins. Plant 2 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Wisconsin in the west to southern New England in the east, southward to Florida and Texas.

Habitat: Seedbox is found in swamps.

Flowering period: June to August.

Similar Species: Creeping Primrose Willow has 5 petals, not 4. Upright Primrose Willow has 4 petals, but the sepals are long and narrow, not broad. Upright Primrose Willow has a square stem, and 8 to 12 stamens, not 4. St. Peterswort (Clusiaceae) has a similar flower. However, the leaves are opposite and ovate.

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