Mexican Water Primrose

Ludwigia octovalvis 

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

What is Mexican Water Primrose?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

• Sword-shaped
• Reddish along the edges
• Short leaf stalks

Flowers:

• Yellow in color
• Easily lose petals
• 4 petals
• 4 sepals, reddish in color
• Scales reddish-green in color

Fruit:

• Long
• Located directly under flower
• Angled
• Cylindrical shaped
• Reddish-green in color
• Does not open to release seeds when ripe

Seeds:

• Many seeded

Stem:

• Branching

Where Does it Grow?

Mexican Water Primrose can be found along the banks of ponds, lakes, and marshes.

Pros and Cons of Mexican Water Primrose

Ducks and other waterfowl will consume the seeds of water primrose. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.