Commemorating C.G. Ludwig (1709–73), a German botanist.
Mostly aquatic erect or spreading shrubs or herbs rooting at the nodes. Leaves alternate or opposite, occasionally whorled, entire. Flowers regular, solitary or occasionally in clusters in the upper leaf axils. Calyx tube not extending beyond the ovary, the sepals 4-5, persistent. Petals 4 or 5 or absent, yellow or white. Fruit an irregularly dehiscent capsule with chambers the same number as sepals.
These mostly aquatic and waterside plants are occasionally available from specialist nurseries for garden ponds and water features or are sometimes supplied in the aquarium industry.
L. arcuata Walt. is from N America and L. longifolia (DC.) Hara, from S America is naturalised in the Sydney region. L. palustris (L.) Elliot, Water Purslane, a native of the northern hemisphere is naturalised along the banks of the upper Murray. Plants grown under this name may be a sterile hybrid of this species with L. repens, which for many years was the only Ludwigia available in the European aquarium industry. The hybrid is distinguished by the reddish leaf undersurface. L. peploides (Kunth) Raven,Water Primrose, is a native plant that occurs in SA, Vic, Qld, New Zealand and S America. L. peruviana (L.) Hara, native to America, is naturalised in swampy areas around lakes in the Sydney region.
A declared noxious weed for the municipality of Botany, where it is filling slow-flowing watercourses. Poses a considerable threat to other waterways.
75 species, cosmopolitan plants from aquatic or moist warm sites with most species in America. Australia has 4 native species and 2 naturalised species.
Seed, softwood cuttings or division.
Aquatic plants; sepals persistent on the fruit.
Source: (2002). Fuchsia. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
