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Onagraceae
Mexican Primrose Willow
Ludwigia octovalvis
Adaptability and waterside tenacity.
- Family
- Onagraceae
- Genus
- Ludwigia
- Native to
- Mexico, tropical Americas
- Bloom season
- Summer, Fall
- Type
- herbaceous perennial
- Height
- 60–150 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- moist to wet; tolerates waterlogged soil
- Water
- high; prefers bog-like conditions
- Hardiness
- 8–11
- Lifespan
- perennial; vigorous colonizer
Did you know
- It thrives at the edge of ponds and streams where most other plants cannot tolerate waterlogged roots.
- The species name 'octovalvis' refers to the eight-valved seed capsule — a distinctive identification feature.
- It has naturalized across tropical Africa and Asia, where it is sometimes managed as an invasive wetland weed.
- The four-petaled yellow flowers resemble evening primroses, giving rise to the 'primrose willow' common name.
- In traditional medicine across the tropics, leaf poultices are used to treat swelling and skin irritations.
Color meanings
Yellow
sunny resilience