Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia)
- Family: Evening Primrose (Onagraceae)
- Flowering: June-August.
- Field Marks: This erect Ludwigia is
distinguished by its alternate leaves and short-stalked square
capsules.
- Habitat: Along streams, wet meadows, around ponds,
wet prairies, fallow fields, roadside ditches.
- Habit: Perennial herb with a cluster of thickened
roots.
- Stems: Erect, branched, smooth, up to 3 feet tall.
- Leaves: Alternate, simple, lanceolate, pointed at the
tip, tapering to the base, without teeth, smooth or hairy, up to
4 inches long.
- Flowers: Yellow, about 1/2 inch across, solitary in
the axils of the leaves.
- Sepals: 4, green, united to form a cup.
- Petals: 4, yellow, free from each other
- Stamens: 4.
- Pistils: Ovary inferior.
- Fruits: Capsule more or less square, up to 1/4 inch
across, angled or narrowly winged, containing many seeds.
- Notes: The plants are browsed by wildlife.
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