About Ludwigia alternifolia L.
Ludwigia alternifolia L. typically grows 2 to 3 feet (61 to 91 cm) tall, with reddish-tinged stems. Its leaves are deep green, sharply pointed, and lance-shaped, arranged alternately along the stem. Leaves measure 1.25 to 4 inches (3 to 10 cm) long and 0.25 to 0.75 inches (1 to 2 cm) wide, with smooth margins that are sometimes slightly ciliate or reddish. Leaves may have short petioles or be sessile. Flowers are usually borne singly, growing from the leaf axils of upper stem leaves. Each flower has four yellow petals and four light green sepals. Mature fruits are brown, cubic capsules with rigid sides, around 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) long. This species is native to an area ranging from southern Quebec and Ontario west to Kansas, and south to Texas and Florida. It grows in habitats with full to partial sun and wet to moist soil, including marshes, wet meadows, and swamps.
