Ludwigia sphaerocarpa
Ludwigia sphaerocarpa
Also known as Roundfruit primrose willow, Globe-fruited ludwigia, Roundpod water-primrose
Care at a glance
- Light
- High light
- CO2
- CO₂ beneficial
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Midground
- Type
- Stem
- Temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–12 dGH
- Max height
- 11.8 in (30 cm)
- Spread
- 3.9 in (10 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Origin
- Native to wet coastal marshes and pond margins of the eastern United States, from Massachusetts to Texas.
- Family
- Onagraceae
Overview
This is a demanding plant that needs strong light to color up and stay compact, going dull green and leggy in shade. CO2, a rich substrate, and regular dosing bring out its orange, brown, and red tones. Plant it in the midground, trim to encourage low crowns, and replant the cuttings to build a group.
In the wild
Ludwigia sphaerocarpa grows as a very compact, almost rosette-like stem plant, with narrow leaves that turn orange, brown, and red under strong light. It is native to wet coastal marshes of the eastern United States. Underwater the shoots stay short and dense, forming low crowns rather than long stems.
Good to know
Ludwigia sphaerocarpa is a member of the evening primrose family, Onagraceae, like all Ludwigia species. The species name sphaerocarpa refers to its rounded seed capsules. It was long known to botanists before hobbyists recognized its value as an aquarium plant.
Did you know
It grew unnoticed in American wetlands for generations before hobbyists discovered that its compact underwater crowns make an unusual aquarium plant.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
- Aquarium Plants Factory Aquatic plants shipped from a California greenhouse
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
High-light plants · Midground plants · Stem plants · Advanced plants
Growing Ludwigia sphaerocarpa?
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