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Native Plant Society of Texas

Mexican Primrose Willow

Ludwigia octovalvis

Other common name(s):

Mexican Primrose-willow, Narrow-leaf Water Primrose, Seedbox

Family:

Onagraceae (Evening Primrose Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Subshrub, Wetland

Height

3
to
6
ft.

Spread

3
to
6
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Moist, Mud

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Wetland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Larval Host, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Moths

Maintenance

A swamp or wetland plant that needs moist or shallow, submerged soils. Fast growth rate and reseeds heavily. May need periodic trimming to control spread in small spaces. Leaves may turn red as the plant ages. Can be grown in a container. Set up a pond or a water collection tank near a downspout to supplement water. Native habitat: swamp and wetlands plant.

Description

Blooms July-October. Ribbed stems are erect and branched, sometimes woody at the base. Leaves are lance-shaped to ovate, with sunken venation and a reddish to pale midrib. Bright yellow, solitary flowers arise from leaf axils. They close in the evening and reopen in the morning. The fruit is a capsule that opens irregularly. Larval host: Water-primrose Hornworm Moth.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment For optimal growth, use well-draining soil that stays moist but not waterlogged. Seeds should be gently pressed into soil and kept in a bright, warm location to encourage germination. Consistent moisture during this stage is crucial. Young plants must be hardened off before transplanting outdoors to acclimatize them to the natural environment. Carefully monitoring for pests and diseases during the early stages of development will ensure a healthy start. https://www.picturethisai.com/care/Ludwigia_octovalvis.html#:~:text=Key%20care%20points%20include%20ensuring,be%20invasive%20in%20favorable%20conditions.
Stem Cutting Remove any lower leaves to prevent them from rotting in the water. Place the cutting in a separate container with water or directly plant it in the substrate. Within a few weeks, roots should start to grow, and a new plant will form. Simply cut a healthy stem with a sharp, sterile pair of scissors or pruning shears. Make sure the cutting is at least a few inches long and has a few leaves. https://blog.cantonaquatics.com/aqua-eden-chronicles/the-ultimate-guide-to-propagating-ludwigia-repens#:~:text=Simply%20cut%20a%20healthy%20stem,plant%20it%20in%20the%20substrate.
Offshoots Cutting Side shoots are another method of propagation that involves removing and replanting the small shoots that grow from the main stem. Plant the shoots in the substrate, ensuring that the roots are properly buried. With proper care, the shoots will establish themselves as individual plants. Shoots can be carefully detached from the parent plant using your fingers or a pair of tweezers. https://blog.cantonaquatics.com/aqua-eden-chronicles/the-ultimate-guide-to-propagating-ludwigia-repens#:~:text=Simply%20cut%20a%20healthy%20stem,plant%20it%20in%20the%20substrate.

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason