Flower profile

Peruvian primrose-willow

Ludwigia peruviana

Peruvian primrose-willow (Ludwigia peruviana) is a shrub in the Onagraceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly September–December across the U.S.

Not native to Florida

Peruvian primrose-willow is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. In Florida it's most often seen in bloom in September–December.

5states where USDA records it

3,720FL sightings*

3,826U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Florida

Quick look

Ludwigia peruviana, with the common names Peruvian primrose-willow or Peruvian water primrose, is an aquatic, sometimes deciduous species of flowering plant in the evening primrose family. It can grow to approximately 12 feet (3.7 m) in height. While native to Peru, it has been introduced in many other countries for its attractive simple yellow flowers, it is now a common weed in swampy areas around the world.
From Wikipedia's article Ludwigia peruviana, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Onagraceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a shrub with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 5 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as not native to Florida. ^NatureServe
In Florida, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in September–December. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 3,720 research-grade sightings of it in Florida, ranking #76 among the 151 flowers on our Florida list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Florida, most flowering sightings come in September–December.

Flowering records by month in Florida (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (251 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Florida: Not listed Not on Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Florida. ^{FAC 5B-40.0055}
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records peruvian primrose-willow in 5 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas.

Florida counties with USDA records: Alachua, Bay, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Taylor, Volusia, Walton, Washington.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Lower 48 states: Introduced; Puerto Rico: Introduced.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Jussiaea peruviana.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 51 counties across 4 states; the most are in Florida (47), Texas (2), Alabama (1).

More from the Onagraceae family (19 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Pinkladies, Fireweed, California fuchsia, Common evening-primrose, Broadleaf enchanter's nightshade, Elegant clarkia, Cutleaf evening primrose, Sun cup.

More Florida flowers

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American beautyberry

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🌼 Blooms in FL: May–July

Largeflower Mexican clover

Richardia grandiflora

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in FL: November–December

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile LUPE6.
iNaturalist, Ludwigia peruviana: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Ludwigia peruviana (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Florida: Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055).
Florida: Florida Noxious Weed List (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-57.007).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Ludwigia peruviana (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
Photo: mfeaver via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.