False Loosestrife Ludwigia sedoides
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- lud-WIG-ee-uh see-DOY-deez
- Description
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The mosaic plant is a floating, aquatic, herbaceous perennial in the primrose family, native to Brazil, but often grown as an annual in other climates. While only 4 inches high at maturity, it has colorful floating diamond leaves that form an intricate rose pattern and cup-shaped yellow flowers that blossom in summer. The genus name honors Christian G. Ludwig (1709-1773), a professor at Leipzig. The species name means resembling sedum.
Mosaic Plant requires lots of sun or artificial light, a wet environment, and heavy macro and micro fertilization to produce attractive growth. Flower production requires optimal conditions of light, moisture, and fertilization.To propagate the plant, cut off the floating rosette leaving a piece of the stem. A new rosette will develop on it after a short while.
The Mosaic Plant is not winter hardy in North Carolina and needs to be brought indoors where it can be grown as an annual in containers covered with 6 to 18 inches of 72 degree F. water and rooted in the substrate below the water surface. The water requirements of these plants makes them difficult to overwinter indoors, but they can be placed in large aquariums for that purpose. Use in an aquarium is complicated by light and nutrient requirements.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known insect or disease problems. Can be susceptible to leaf spot and rust.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ludwigia
- Species:
- sedoides
- Family:
- Onagraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Mexico to Tropical America, Brazil, Venezuela
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Water Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Horizontal
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Explosive capsules release seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Two-inch, cup-shaped yellow blooms from June to August that float on the surface of the water.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Red and green diamond-shaped leaves appear in rounded clusters of 3 to 6 inch wide rosettes floating on the water surface. The edges of central and older leaves turn bright red when the plant is grown under bright light or sunlight. Leaf rosettes are fully extended during daytime and contracted at night where the leaves overlap one another.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Hollow, reddish and brittle stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
