Ludwigia virgata

• Interesting Facts
• Common Names
• Description
• Biology
• Taxonomy
• Similar Species
• More Info
• Further Reading
• Notes

Interesting Facts

Common Names

Description

Family Onagraceae

Annual or perennial herbs, or shrubs , rarely trees to 30 m tall, often with epidermal oil cells , usually with internal phloem . Leaves simple , spirally arranged , opposite, or occasionally whorled , entire or toothed to pinnatifid ; stipules present and usually caducous , or absent. Flowers perfect and hermaphroditic or occasionally unisexual , actinomorphic or zygomorphic, (2-) 4(-7) -merous, axillary , in leafy spikes or racemes or solitary, or occasionally in panicles, all but Ludwigia with distinct floral tube , nectariferous within. Sepals green or colored , valvate . Petals as many as sepals or rarely absent, variously colored, imbricate or convolute and occasionally clawed. Stamens as many as sepals in one series or 2 × as many as sepals in 2 series [in Lopezia Cavanilles reduced to 2 or 1 plus 1 sterile staminode]; anthers versatile or basifixed , dithecal , sometimes cross-partitioned, opening by longitudinal slits; pollen grains almost always united by viscin threads, shed as monads , tetrads , or polyads . Ovary inferior, with as many carpels and locules as sepals, septa sometimes thin or absent at maturity; placentation axile or parietal , ovules 1 to many per locule, in 1 or several rows or clustered, anatropous , bitegmic; style 1; stigma with as many lobes as sepals or clavate to globose . Fruit a loculicidal capsule or indehiscent nut or berry. Seeds small, smooth or variously sculptured , sometimes with a coma [or wing ], with straight oily embryo, endosperm lacking.

Seventeen genera and ca. 650 species: widespread in temperate and subtropical areas, but best represented in W North America; six genera (two introduced ), 64 species (11 endemic, 11 introduced), and five natural hybrids (two endemic) in China.

Onagraceae are a well-defined, monophyletic family in the order Myrtales, with a sister relationship to Lythraceae. Within the order Myrtales, the Onagraceae are distinguished by a number of features including (1) a distinctive 4-nucleate embryo sac; (2) abundant raphides in vegetative cells ; (3) paracrystalline beaded pollen ektexine; and (4) pollen with viscin threads.

Some species of Oenothera are grown for the oil in their seeds, which contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA), used for medicinal purposes. Several species of Onagraceae also are cultivated in China for their horticultural value, including species of Fuchsia Linnaeus (generally distinguished by having large, tubular , red or orange flowers and fleshy berries ) and Clarkia Pursh (distinguished by having stigmas with commissural lobes with dry, unicellular papillae, and dry, elongate capsules similar to those of Epilobium but lacking comas on the seeds) . The most commonly cultivated Fuchsia is F. ×hybrida Hort. and the related F. magellanica Lamarck in F. sect. Quelusia (Vandelli) Candolle from South America; F. triphylla Linnaeus, in F. sect. Fuchsia, from Hispaniola, is known from only one gathering in Fujian. Similarly, Clarkia amoena (Lehmann) A. Nelson & J. F. Macbride is widely cultivated in China, whereas C. pulchella Pursh is known from only one gathering in Xizang; both species are native to W North America. There are no naturalized species of either Clarkia or Fuchsia in China.[1]

Genus Ludwigia

Herbs slender, erect to prostrate and rooting at nodes, or shrubs or rarely small trees ; underwater parts often swollen and spongy or with inflated white spongy pneumatophores. Leaves alternate [or opposite], usually entire; stipules present, reduced and/or deciduous; bracteoles 2, at or near base of ovary, or absent. Flowers perfect , actinomorphic , in upper leaf axils or in spikes, racemes , or clusters ; floral tube not prolonged beyond ovary. Sepals (3 or) 4 or 5(-7), green, persistent after anthesis . Petals as many as sepals or absent, yellow or white, caducous . Stamens as many as or 2 × as many as sepals; anthers versatile or sometimes basifixed ; pollen shed singly or in tetrads or polyads . Ovary with as many locules as sepals, rarely more, apex flat or conic, often with a depressed nectary surrounding base of each epipetalous stamen; stigma capitate or hemispheric , entire or lobed , upper 1/2-2/3 receptive. Fruit an obovoid to cylindric capsule, dehiscent irregularly or by a terminal pore or by flaps separating from valvelike apex. Seeds numerous , in one to several rows per locule, free or embedded in powdery or woody endocarp, raphe small or conspicuous , sometimes equal in size to body of seed. 2n = 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 128.

Eighty-two species: cosmopolitan , on all continents except Antarctica; nine species (one endemic) in China.

Ludwigia is distinctive within the family , and morphological, anatomical, and molecular evidence indicates that it is the sister group to the remainder of the family. Historically, plants of this affinity with stamen number equal to sepal number were Ludwigia, and those with stamens twice as many as sepals were Jussiaea, but Raven and others demonstrated reticulate variation in this character, and treated the two groups as a single genus. Polyploidy and autogamy are important evolutionary phenomena within the genus.[2]

Physical Description

Habitat

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 106 meters (0 to 348 feet).[3]

Biology

Reproduction

Duration: Perennial

Growth

Culture: Space 36-48" apart.

Soil: Minimum pH: 5.6 • Maximum pH: 7.5

Sunlight: Sun Exposure: Full Sun .

Taxonomy

Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

Last scrutiny: 15-Mar-2000

Similar Species

Members of the genus Ludwigia

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 51 species, subspecies, varieties, forms, and cultivars in this genus:

L. alata (Winged Primrose Willow) · L. alternifolia (Bushy Seedbox) · L. arcuata (Piedmont Primrose-Willow) · L. bonariensis (Carolina Primrose-Willow) · L. brevipes (Long Beach Primrose-Willow) · L. curtissii (Curtiss' Primrose-Willow) · L. decurrens (Primrose Willow) · L. erecta (Yerba De Jicotea) · L. glandulosa (Creeping Seedbox) · L. glandulosa brachycarpa (Creeping Seedbox) · L. glandulosa glandulosa (Creeping Seedbox) · L. glandulosa subsp. brachycarpa (Cylindricfruit Primrose-Willow) · L. hirtella (Hairy Ludwigia) · L. hyssopifolia (Seed Box) · L. hyssopifolia apud (Seedbox) · L. lacustris (Lake Ludwigia) · L. lanceolata (Lance-Leaf Seedbox) · L. leptocarpa (Angle-Stemmed Primrose-Willow) · L. linearis (Narrow-Leaf Seedbox) · L. linifolia (Southeastern Primrose-Willow) · L. longifolia (Longleaf Primrose-Willow) · L. maritima (Seaside Primrose-Willow) · L. microcarpa (Small-Fruit Seedbox) · L. nervosa (Water Primrose) · L. octovalvis (Mexican Primrose Willow) · L. octovalvis octovalvis (Mexican Primrosewillow) · L. octovalvis sessiliflora (Mexican Primrose-Willow) · L. octovalvis subsp. octovalvis (Mexican Primrose-Willow) · L. octovalvis subsp. sessiliflora (Mexican Primrose-Willow) · L. palustris (Marsh Primrose-Willow) · L. palustris var. typica (Marsh Primrose-Willow) · L. peploides (Clove-Strip) · L. peploides glabrescens (Floating Primrosewillow) · L. peploides montevidensis (Floating Primrose-Willow) · L. peploides peploides (Floating Primrosewillow) · L. peploides subsp. glabrescens (Floating Primrose-Willow) · L. peploides subsp. montevidensis (Floating Primrose-Willow) · L. peruviana (Peruvian Primrose-Willow) · L. pilosa (Hairy Primrose-Willow) · L. polycarpa (Many-Fruit False-Loosestrife) · L. ravenii (Raven's Primrose-Willow) · L. repens (Creeping Primrose Willow) · L. sedioides (Mosaic Plant) · L. sedoides (False Loosestrife) · L. simpsonii (Simpson's Primrose-Willow) · L. spathulata (Spathulate Seedbox) · L. sphaerocarpa (Globe-Fruited False-Loosestrife) · L. suffruticosa (Shrubby Primrose-Willow) · L. uruguayensis (Large-Flower Primrose-Willow) · L. virgata (Savanna Seedbox) · L. x lacustris (Lake Ludwigia)

More Info

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Further Reading

• A general history of the dichlamydeous plants, comprising complete descriptions of the different orders; together with the characters of the genera and species, and an enumeration of the cultivated varieties. .. the scientific names accentuated, t By George Don. London, J.G. and F. Rivington [etc.]1831-38. url p. 697.
• Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. New York, New York Academy of Sciences. url p. 52.
• Annual report / Florida State Geological Survey. Tallahassee, Fla.: Capital Pub. Co., state printer, url p. 252, p. 324.
• Bibliographical index to North American botany; or, Citations of authorities for all the recorded indigenous and naturalized species of the flora of North America, with a chronological arrangement of the synonymy. by Sereno Watson. Washington, Smithsonian Institution, 1878. url , p. 376.
• Britton, N. L. (ed.). North American flora. 7 1921 [New York]New York Botanical Garden. url p. 461, p. 915.
• Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 5 1897-1901 Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1890- url p. 406, p. 455, p. 535, p. 635.
• Field, forest, and garden botany, a simple introduction to the common plants of the United States, east of the Mississippi, both wild and cultivated. By Asa Gray. New York: Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & co., [c1868] url p. 146.
• Field, forest, and garden botany; a simple introduction to the common plants of the United States east of the 100th meridian, both wild and cultivated, by Asa Gray. .. Cincinnati [etc.]American Book Company[1895] url p. 182.
• Flora of Indiana, by Charles C. Deam. Indianapolis, Wm. B. Burford printing co., contractor for state printing and binding, 1940. url p. 1076.
• Flora of the southeastern United States; being descriptions of the seed-plants, ferns and fern-allies growing naturally in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and in Oklahom by John Kunkel Small. New York, The author, 1913. url p. 1353, p. 837.
• Flora of the southern United States: containing an abridged description of the flowering plants and ferns of Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida: arr. according to the natural system. New YorkAmerican Book Co.[1897] url p. 164.
• Florida wild flowers; an introduction to the flora of the Florida peninsula, by Mary Francis Baker, photographs by the author. New York, The Macmillan company, 1926. url p. 160.
• Gray's School and field book of botany: consisting of "Lessons in botany" and "Field, forest, and garden botany" bound in one volume. New York: American Book Company, [between 1895 and 1900]. url p. 182.
• Gray's school and field book of botany. Consisting of "Lessons in botany, " and "Field, forest, and garden botany, " bound in one volume. New York, American book company, 1901?, c1887 url p. 182.
• Lessons in botany and vegetable physiology, illus. by. .. Isaac Sprague. To which is added a copious glossary, or dictionary of botanical terms. New York, Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman, 1872 [c1868] url p. 146.
• Manual of the southeastern flora: being descriptions of the seed plants growing naturally in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, eastern Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. 1933 New York: The author, 1933. url p. 941.
• Phytologia. Bronx Park, New York, H.A. Gleason and H.N. Moldenke, url p. 38.
• Plant life of Alabama, an account of the distribution, modes of association, and adaptations of the flora of Alabama, together with a systematic catalogue of the plants growing in the state. By Charles Mohr. .. Montgomery, Ala., Brown printing co., 1901. url p. 635.
• Plant life of Alabama: an account of the distribution, modes of association, and adaptations of the flora of Alabama, together with a systematic catalogue of the plants growing in the state / by Charles Mohr. Montgomery, Ala.: Brown Printing Co., 1901. url p. 635.
• Plants of Mississippi: a list of flowering plants and ferns / by E.N. Lowe. [Jackson, Miss.]: Mississippi State Geological Survey, 1921. url p. 207.
• Resources of southern Alabama: a statistical guide for investors and settlers, with an exposition of some of the principles of economic geography / by Roland M. Harper. University, Ala.: Geological Survey of Alabama, [1920]. url p. 146.
• Small, J. K. Flora of the southeastern United States;being descriptions of the seed-plants, ferns and fern-allies growing naturally in North Carolina, South Carolin, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and the Indian territory and in Oklahoma and Texas east of the one-hundredth meridian /by John Kunkel Small. .. 1903 New York: The author, 1903. url p. 836.
• Smithsonian miscellaneous collections. 15 1878 Washington: Smithsonian Institution, 1862-1968. url p. 376.
• Torreya. Burlington, Vt., Torrey Botanical Club, 1901-1945. url p. 161, p. 163, p. 164, p. 228.
• Transactions of the. .. annual meetings of the Kansas Academy of Science. Topeka, Kan.: Kansas Pub. House, 1883-1901. url p. 100.
• Chen Chiajui, Lu Shangzhi & Li Yibin. 2000. Onagraceae. In: Chen Chiajui, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 53(2): 27-133.
• Chen Chiajui, Lu Shangzhi & Li Yibin. 2000. Onagraceae. In: Chen Chiajui, ed., Fl. Reipubl. Popularis Sin. 53(2): 27-133.

Notes

Contributors

• Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-present. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Zwaag, The Netherlands. Accessed January 11, 2012.

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 21, 2007:

• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Virtual Herbarium Darwin Core format
• Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden
• USDA PLANTS, USDA PLANTS Database
• University of Alabama Biodiversity and Systematics, Herbarium

Identifiers

• Biodiversity Heritage Library NamebankID: 2651296
• Catalogue of Life Accepted Name Code: ITS-27366
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility Taxonkey: 13743220
• Globally Unique Identifier: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:613459-1
• Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN): 27366
• International Plant Names Index (IPNI) ID: 613459-1
• Natural Heritage Network Species Identifier: PDONA0B0V0
• U.S.D.A. Plant Symbol: LUVI2
• Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 47831

Footnotes

1. Jiarui Chen, Peter C. Hoch, Peter H. Raven, David E. Boufford & Warren L. Wagner "Onagraceae". in Flora of China Vol. 13 Page 274, 290, 400. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
2. Jiarui Chen, Peter C. Hoch & Peter H. Raven "Ludwigia". in Flora of China Vol. 13 Page 400, 401. Published by Science Press (Beijing) and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. Online at EFloras.org. [back]
3. Mean = 36.350 meters (119.259 feet), Standard Deviation = 30.530 based on 113 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]

©2004-2012 David Stang. All rights reserved.