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Hairy Water Primrose

Ludwigia pilosa


What is Hairy Water Primrose?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Linear or elliptical shaped
  • 0.79-3.94 inches long
  • 0.12-0.59 inches wide
  • Leaf stalk 0.04-0.2 inches long

Flowers:

  • 4 sepals
  • 0.16-0.2 inches long
  • No petals

Fruit:

  • Dry seed pod
  • Cube-shaped
  • 0.12-0.16 inches long and thick

Seeds:

  • Many seeded
  • About 0.02 inches long

Stem:

  • Branching
  • Up to 4 feet tall

Where Does it Grow?


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

Water primrose can be found in shallow marshes, ponds and ditches.

Pros and Cons of 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.

How to Manage This Plant
Plant Glossary

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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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