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AquaPlantA Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae
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Virginia Buttonweed

Diodia virginiana

Virginia Buttonweed Locations in North America
Virginia Buttonweed Locations in Southeast US
virginia buttonweed top view

virginia buttonweed close up

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustration: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

What is Virginia Buttonweed?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Immobile
  • Oval or sword shaped
  • Bright green in color
  • Up to 3.5 inches long
  • Up to 0.78 inches wide

Flowers:

  • White in color
  • 0.28-0.39 inches long

Fruit:

  • Egg-shaped
  • 0.2-0.3 inches long
  • Up to 0.2 inches across
  • Bare
  • Topped with 2-3 flower teeth

Stem:

  • Splitting branches
  • Branches up to 2 feet long

Roots:

  • Spreading

Where Does it Grow?

Virginia buttonweed can be found in swamps, wet meadows, marshes, coastal prairies, and in the mud along streams and ponds.

Pros and Cons of Virginia Buttonweed

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.

How to Manage This Plant
Plant Glossary

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

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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