General Landscape Uses:
Aquatic groundcover.
Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts.
Description: Vigorous perennial herb with stems lying on the ground and rooting at the nodes to form extensive colonies. Flowering stems are up to 3 feet tall. Lanceolate leaves 6 inches long and less than one inch wide usually with short, stiff hairs on the edges. White to greenish-white flowers.
Dimensions: Up to 3 feet in height, forming extensive colonies.
Growth Rate: Fast.
Range:
Widespread in the eastern half of the United States south throughout Florida. Also present along the west coast and into Arizona.
Map of select IRC data from peninsular Florida.
Map of suggested ZIP codes from South Florida north to southern Brevard, Osceola, Polk, and Pasco counties.
Map of ZIP codes with habitat recommendations from the Monroe County Keys north to Martin and Charlotte counties.
Habitats: Fresh and brackish marshes, floodplains.
Soils: Wet to moist, moderately well-drained to poorly drained organic soils.
Nutritional Requirements: High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth.
Salt Water Tolerance: Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water.
Salt Wind Tolerance: Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance: Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought.
Light Requirements: Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color: White to greenish-white.
Flower Characteristics: Showy clusters.
Flowering Season: Summer.
Fruit: Dark brown to black achenes.
Wildlife and Ecology: Attracts pollinators.
References: Nelson (
2003), Clewell (
1985), Godfrey and
Comments: We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.
