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Peruvian Primrose

Ludwigia peruviana

Non-Native

Peruvian Primrose Locations in North America
Peruvian Primrose Locations in Southeast US

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.

What is Peruvian Water Primrose?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Young leaves are hairy
  • Alternate
  • 1.97-4.73 inches long
  • 0.4-1.18 inches wide
  • Stalkless
  • Oval shaped

Flowers:

  • 0.79-1.57 inches across
  • Single
  • Bright yellow
  • 4-5 petals
  • 4-5 sepals
  • Large sepals

Fruit:

  • Reddish-brown in color
  • Sepals turn reddish-brown when fruit is ripe
  • 4-angled
  • Dry seed pod

Stem:

  • 6-12 feet long
  • Young stems are hairy and rounded
  • Green or brownish-green in color
  • Branching

Where Does it Grow?

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

Pros and Cons of Water Primrose

This plant is not native to North America and should not be introduced into new water bodies and should be treated with herbicide when present.

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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