Ludwigia alternifolia L.

Alternate Leaf Seedbox; Bushy Seedbox

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Alternate Leaf Seedbox is a native short-lived perennial or annual in the Evening-Primrose family (Onagraceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Alternate Leaf Seedbox occurs on the shores of streams and ponds, in wet ditches, in low pastures, in bog and seeps, and in marshes and swamps. It is a short-lived perennial or annual with a tap root. The stems are 3-4 feet in height and freely branched. The stems are brown in color, slightly winged, and glabrous. Leaves are alternate, sessile or short petiolate, elliptic to lanceolate in outline, with entire margins. The leaves are glabrous or with a few scattered hairs. The flowers are solitary in the axils of the upper leaves. The flowers have an inferior ovary. There are 4 triangular sepals and 4 yellow petals. The petals fall off easily. The fruit is a 4-sided, short capsule. The seed are release through a pore in the top of the capsule. The fruit looks somewhat like a salt shaker and is sometimes used in dried flower arrangements.--A. Diamond

**

Native OBL (NWPL)

**