Practical
Plants

Ludwigia palustris

Water Purslane

a perennial member of the Ludwigia genus in the family Onagraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Used in the treatment of phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis), asthma and chronic coughs[2].

Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Pectoral

Environment

Range
Europe. Asia. N. America - Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to Florida and California.
Habitat
Shallow water or wet soils[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse at a temperature between 15 - 20°c. Immerse the pot so that it is 2 - 5cm below water level[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in containers of water in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in spring[1]. Softwood cuttings in a frame in spring[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A plant of shallow water or boggy land, it requires a fertile soil in a warm sunny position[1].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  3. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

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