4142

Emergent aquatic (rooted); Forb
Annual/Perennial

Non-native: East Indies
Documented growing wild in - - SC

Rare

Look for it in lakes, rivers, canals (it is grown for the aquarium trade and sporadically introduced to bodies of water), per Weakley's Flora

To see a detailed map, click here

INVASIVE

This plant is causing problems in natural areas outside its native range, according to authorities such as:

SC Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Nuisance Species List, 2003
SC List of Regulated Pest Plant Species, 2017
USDA Federal Noxious Weed List, 093014

 

Aquatic

LEAVES:
Simple
Opposite
Petioles to 5mm long

FLOWER:
Summer/Fall
White
Bisexual
5-lobed calyx
2-lipped corolla
4 fertile stamens
Superior ovary
Flowers in terminal and axillary spikes

FRUIT:
WinterFall
Capsule

 

TO LEARN MORE about this plant, look it up in a good book!

Spermatophytes (seed plants): Angiosperms (flowering plants): Eudicots: Core Eudicots: Asterids: Lamiids: Lamiales

WEAKLEY'S FLORA (5/21/15):
Hygrophila polysperma   FAMILY Acanthaceae

SYNONYMOUS WITH PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Hygrophila polysperma   FAMILY Acanthaceae

SYNONYMOUS WITH Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida (Wunderlin & Hansen, 2011)
Hygrophila polysperma