Ludwigia palustris - Water Purslane

Family:	Onagraceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe. Asia. N. America - Nova Scotia to Manitoba, south to Florida and California.

Ludwigia palustris (Water Purslane) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Water Purslane will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Water Purslane prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Water Purslane should not be planted in shady areas.

Shallow water or wet soils[200].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

A plant of shallow water or boggy land, it requires a fertile soil in a warm sunny position[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
Used in the treatment of phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis), asthma and chronic coughs[207].

• Antiasthmatic - Treats asthma.
• Pectoral - Relieves respiratory diseases, a remedy for chest diseases.

Propagation

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[200]. 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[200]. Softwood cuttings in a frame in spring[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Author: Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J
Rating: http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Publisher : An excellent flora, which is also available on-line.
Date of Publication : 1999

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