Spermatophytes (seed plants): Angiosperms (flowering plants): Eudicots: Core Eudicots: Asterids: Lamiids: Lamiales
WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/24/22):
Hygrophila polysperma
FAMILY
Acanthaceae
Go to FSUS key
Dig deeper at SERNEC, a consortium of southeastern herbaria.
Check out EDDMapS.org to see where this has been reported.
Aquatic weeds can clog irrigation channels and cover lakes, threatening crops and wildlife. Read more -- Outlawed! Federal Noxious Weeds: The Aquatics.
SYNONYMOUS WITH
PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Hygrophila polysperma
FAMILY
Acanthaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida (Wunderlin & Hansen, 2011)
Hygrophila polysperma
COMMON NAME:
East Indian Swampweed, East Indian Hygrophila, Miramar-weed, Hygro
NameThatPlant has no pictures at this time. You might try this link: Flora of the Southeastern United States
WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/24/22):
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
4142
Emergent aquatic (rooted); Forb
Annual/Perennial
Habitat: Lakes, rivers, canals; established in AL, FL, and SC (Hook & Nelson 2011), doubtfully established in VA, per Weakley's Flora
Non-native: East Indies
Waif(s)
CLICK HERE to see a map, notes, and images from Weakley's Flora of the Southeastern US.
Click here to see a map showing all occurrences known to SERNEC, a consortium of southeastern herbaria. (Zoom in to see more detail.)
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 Weeds, 091820
LEAVES:
Simple
Opposite
Petioles to 5mm long
Margins entire
FLOWER:
Summer/Fall
White
5-lobed calyx
2-lipped corolla
4 fertile stamens
Superior ovary
Bisexual
Flowers in terminal and axillary spikes
FRUIT:
WinterFall
Capsule
TO LEARN MORE about this plant, look it up in a good book!
If a search such as "Carex leptalea var. leptalea" doesn't deliver the results you want, try "Carex leptalea".
Or, to minimize chances of a misspelling, try just "Carex le".
Less is more: If "pencil flower" doesn't deliver the results you want, try "pencil".