Characteristics:
Rattlebox is a beautiful multi-branched perennial in the primrose family. It grows to about 3’ tall and its large (up to 4”) lance-shaped, deep green leaves are attached by short stalks to its reddish stems. It commonly grows in wet meadows, stream edges, wet woodlands, ditches and wet depressions throughout the landscape. Its solitary, bright yellow flowers bloom on short stalks in the upper leaf axils with four small petals that shed quickly after opening leaving 4 green or reddish sepals behind that are the same size as the petals. The fruits develop into ¼” cupical capsules with an apical pore on top. When these capsules are mature, they rattle when rustled and give this interesting plant its common name, Rattlebox. (MBG)
Cultivation:
Ludwigia alternifolia grows well in average, consistently moist soil in full sun. It does well in wet soils and may tolerate late shade. Will self-seed if in optimum growing conditions (MBG)
Etymology:
The genus name Ludwigia is in honor of Christian G. Ludwig (1709-1773) a professor at Leipzig who classified it. The species name comes from the latin relating to its alternate leaves. (MBG)
Ludwigia alternifolia
Rattlebox
Family: Onagraceae
Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Height: 2’ - 3’
Spread: 1’ - 1.5’
Bloom: Yellow, June to August
Water: Medium to wet
Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
Tolerates: Deer & wet soil
Attracts: Butterflies
Propagation: Seeds, rhizomes
