Ludwigia

These tropical, aquatic plants are found wild in South America. L. palustris, the Primrose Creeper, carpets the edges of ponds with creeping or floating, branching stems, which grow up to a foot high, covered with glossy, oval leaves, which grow up to an inch in length. The leaves are light green on top and creamy green beneath. The foliage that grows above the water may be darker green tinted with red. It produces cup-shaped, yellow flowers. This plant is extremely invasive. L. longifolia, the Primrose Willow, has glaucous, lance-shaped leaves covering upright, red stems growing from 4 to 6 feet high.

Pot Cultivation

Grow these plants in 1- to 5-gallon containers, depending on their eventual height, filled with rich loam or clay-based soil. Primrose Willows may be set in up to a foot of water and Primrose Creepers need shallow water. Since these plants need tropical climates, in regions where temperatures drop below 40� F., winter indoors as a house or greenhouse plant.

Propagation

These plants may be divided or rooted stem cuttings may be planted.

L. longifolia

VARIETIES

• L. longifolia;
• L. palustris;
• L. peploides;
• L. Mulertii.