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Gulf Swampweed

Hygrophila lacustris


What is Gulf Swampweed?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Opposite
  • Lanceolate
  • Small (~9cm long and 10mm wide)

Flowers:

  • Small
  • Bluish-white
  • Surrounded by clusters of leaves

Stem:

  • Fern-like
  • Often branching
  • Usually around 3 feet tall

Roots:

  • Rooting at nodes
  • Stem usually curves sharply upward from roots

Where Does it Grow?


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

Gulf swampweed can be found in warm waters along the southeast coast of the United States, typically growing in wet or regularly flooded sites like marshes and swamps.

Pros and Cons of Gulf Swampweed

Gulf swampweed is a hardy plant that survives well under many conditions, especially variance in water levels. However, it has a low tolerance for salinity and will die if water salinity rises about 3 ppt (parts per thousand). Some birds will forage in patches of gulf swampweed, and root systems can be used as a habitat by macroinvertebrates.

 

Citation: Chadde, Steve W. Wetland Plants of Texas. Vol. 2. Stutzenbaker, Charles D. Aquatic and Wetland Plants of the Western Gulf Coast.

How to Manage This Plant
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Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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