Water Purslane

Ludwigia palustris

Alternate names
Creeping Water Purslane

Weed Description
A creeping aquatic weed that grows along shorelines, in shallow water, and less often submersed in shallow water.

Leaves
Arranged oppositely along the stem, oval-shaped to elliptic in outline, approximately 1/2 to 1 inch long. The leaves of creeping primrose are highly variable in color, from green to slightly red-tinged or entirely red- or purple-tinged. Leaves are without hairs (glabrous).

Stems
Creeping and rooting at the nodes.

Flowers
Arise from the areas between the stems and the leaves (leaf axils) and are inconspicuous and without petals.

Identifying Characteristics
Aquatic plant primarily of shorelines with opposite leaves and stems that root at the nodes. Additionally, the red- or purple-tinged leaves that sometimes occur help in the identification of creeping primrose. Several other primrose species occur as aquatics, however creeping primrose is the species most commonly encountered.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Water Purslane

Ludwigia palustris