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Ludwigia alternifolia

Phonetic Spelling
lud-WIG-ee-uh al-ter-nih-FOH-lee-ah
Description

Rattlebox is a North American perennial wildflower found in wet areas as swamps, stream banks, freshwater tidal marshes, ditches and pond edges. It prefers acidic, sandy, moist to wet soils but does have some tolerance for other soils. Flowers appear in summer for 2-3 months and the delicate yellow blooms last for a day or less. These are followed by squarish seed capsules that rattle when shaken. They are pollinated primarily by bees. Plant in rain or water gardens or at stream and lake edges. This plant is heat tolerant. 

Larvae of the Pearly wood nymph moth (Eudryas unio) feed on this host plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#water garden#rain garden#heat tolerant#moth caterpillar host#yellow flowers#wasps#pond margins#NC native#summer flowers#deer browsing plant#herbaceous perennial#native garden#native wildflower#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#wildflower#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#water garden#rain garden#heat tolerant#moth caterpillar host#yellow flowers#wasps#pond margins#NC native#summer flowers#deer browsing plant#herbaceous perennial#native garden#native wildflower#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#wildflower#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ludwigia
    Species:
    alternifolia
    Family:
    Onagraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern North America
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/4 inch squarish seed pods that contain many seeds. Fruits are available June-November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/2 - 3/4 inch flowers with 4 showy yellow petals that can quickly drop after opening leaving 4 green sepals that are as long as the petals. They are borne on short stalks in the leaf axis. Flowers bloom May-October.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    2-4-inch long and 1/2-3/4 inch wide dark green lance-shaped leaves that are sharply pointed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are frequently reddish.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heat
    Wet Soil