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| ## willow primrose {#willow-primrose .Title-Header}                   |
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| *Ludigia decurrens* Walt.                                             |
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| Plant Symbol = LUDE4                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Nacogdoches (TX) Technical Office and the
National Plant Data Center

### 

## Alternate Names

Upright primrose, wingleaf primrose-willow, primrose-willow

## Uses

The common name primrose comes from the flower's resemblance to evening
primroses (*Oenothera* species), since most have 4 petals. The more
woody species of *Ludwigia* are very good browse for deer, goats, sheep
and cattle. In fact, this species is rarely found in overgrazed
pastures.

## Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's

current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious
status, and wetland indicator values).

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.801388888888889in"
height="4.197916666666667in"}

**Description**

*General*: Evening Primrose Family (Onagraceae). *Ludwigia decurrens*, a
native, is the tallest water primrose, reaching a height of 3-6 feet.
This perennial is somewhat "woody", which is unusual for species of
water primroses. It is considered an annual to perennial. It also stands
upright in contrast to most *Ludwigia* species, which trail along the
ground or water. The leaves are usually linear (hence the name willow
primrose), alternate, and entire. The flowers are yellow with 4-5 petals
(usually 4). Also, common to the *Ludwigia* genus is the "seed box"
located immediately below the flower. In fact, some refer to the entire
genus as "seedboxs." Willow primrose has a very distinctive stem that is
4-winged and can be distinguished from all other water primroses by this
unique characteristic.

There are approximately 11 species of *Ludwigia* in Texas. All species
are found in wet sites and all but one species have yellow flowers. Six
species have erect growth habits. Vegetatively, *Ludwigia alternifolia*
is the most similar, but it does not have the distinctive winged stems
and the seedbox is not nearly as long. *Ludwigia decurrens* has one of
the longer "seedboxs" of all *Ludwigia*, attaining lengths of up to ¾
inch.

## Distribution

Found from Texas and Florida to Pennsylvania and Michigan. For current
distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on
the PLANTS Web site.

**Establishment**

*Adaptation*: This species is found throughout the eastern half of Texas
and well into north central Texas. It is found as individual plants
scattered within the plant community, but can make up over 50% of the
plant community. Unlike many of the floating water primroses, it is
seldom found in sites that pond for long periods. Usually, it occurs on
saturated soils and sites the pond for short duration (3-14 days).
*Ludwigia* *ducurrens* is commonly associated with species of
*Polygonum* (smartweed) and *Cyperus* (flat sedge). It is typically
found on wetter sites than *Ludwigia alternifolia*, but dryer than the
more herbaceous species of water primroses (L*. peploides, L. repens,*
and *L. palustris*).

## Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

These plant materials are readily available from commercial sources.
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

**References**

Davis, L. 2000. *Texas plant fact sheet: Ludwegia decurrens*. USDA,
NRCS, Nacogdoches Technical Office #2, Nacogdoches, Texas.

USDA, NRCS 2000. *The PLANTS database*. \<http://plants.usda.gov\>.
001206. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

## 

## Prepared By

# Lee Davis

USDA, NRCS, Nacogdoches Technical Office #2, Nacogdoches, Texas

## Species Coordinator

# Lee Davis

USDA, NRCS, Nacogdoches Technical Office #2, Nacogdoches, Texas

Edited: 22jun01 jsp; 14feb03 ahv; 060802 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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