Common Name: Anglestem Primrose-willow

Scientific Name: Ludwigia leptocarpa

Family: Myrtales

Order: Onagraceae

Wetland Plant Status: Obligatory

Ecology & Description Anglestem primrose-willow is an upright, branched perennial plant that can grow up to 1 meter tall. Its stem is a stout, 4-angled stem that can be green, brown, or tan. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, and up to 14 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. Yellow flowers that are 6-12 mm long and 4-6 mm wide are produced from May to October. The flowers have 4-7 petals and have to bracts. Fruit and seeds develop November through March. Fruits are a 4- sided, tubular capsule that is 2 cm long and 2-4.5 cm wide. The seeds are spread when the plant is shaken by the wind.

Habitat Anglestem primrose-willow inhabits wet soils in new forests, right-of-ways, and older forest openings.

Distribution It grows naturally as far north as Pennsylvania, as far east as Texas, and as far south as Puerto Rico.

Native/Invasive Status This species is native to the Gulf Coastal Plain and Southeastern United States, as well as Puerto Rico

Wildlife Uses Anglestem primrose-willow a forage used by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) have also used this plant as a minor food source in the fall. The nutritional value of anglestem primrose-willow ranges from moderate to poor.

Management & Control Techniques In many places anglestem primrose-willow is thought of as a weed. If you want to remove it from a pond, remove the seed heads and burn them. Also pull up the plants if they are small, but bigger plants will resprout from their root system if you don’t dig them up. Make sure not to leave them on the ground, because they can re-root if left on soil. If new seeds are found they can be covered with soil to prevent them from germinating. To prevent the return of anglestem primrose-willow, plant trees that will produce substantial shade, reducing or preventing survival.

References Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. 2015. Anglestem primrose willow. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, University of Florida. Online. Accessed 16 February 2015. Miller, J. H. and K. V. Miller. 1999. Forest Plants of the Southeast and their Wildlife Uses. The University of Georgia Press, Athens, GA. 454 pp. PLANTS Database. 2015. Ludwigia Leptocarpa. United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Online. Accessed 16 February 2015. Global Invasive Species Database. 2015. Online. Accessed 16 February 2015.

This document was authored by Robert Hane, School of Forestry, Louisiana Tech University, February 2015.