Scientific Name
Ludwigia sedoides (Humb. & Bonpl.) Hara
Common Name(s)
Mosaic Plant, Mosaic Flower, False Loosestrife
Synonym(s)
Jussiaea sedoides
Scientific Classification
Family: Onagraceae
Genus: Ludwigia
Flower
Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Summer
Description
Ludwigia sedoides is a floating leaf marginal aquatic perennial. Red and green diamond-shaped leaves in rounded clusters, up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, float on the water surface. The stems are red.
The flowers are yellow, cup-shaped, up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, and appear in summer.
How to Grow and Care
This floating Ludwigia is native to Central and South America, where it can be found growing in stagnant waters as well as in sections of riverine environments that are free of the current. It is a very common pond plant in warm climates or ponds in conservatories. However, cultivation in an aquarium is a bit more complicated.
Above all else, this floating stem plant requires light. Even values in the higher range of what is possible over a planted aquarium are often not enough. Outdoor culture in a well-lit pond or tub is sometimes the only way to achieve satisfactory growth with this species. Heavy fertilization with macro- and micro-nutrients is essential (if enough light is available) to produce attractive growth. Yellow flowers form on the floating rosettes if the plant achieves good growth.
Winter hardy to USDA Zone 10. In St. Louis, grow as an annual in containers covered with 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45 cm) of water in full sun to part shade. Plants can be difficult to overwinter indoors.
Although the usefulness of this species in the aquascape is markedly limited, its beautiful circles of reddish foliage can lend a unique texture to outdoor ponds.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Mosaic Plant (Ludwigia sedoides).
Origin
Ludwigia sedoides is native to Central and South America.
Links
- Back to genus Ludwigia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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