Ludwigia
On August 6th I drove over to a sumpy place I know on the Blackland Prairie in northeast Austin. One plant that regularly grows at the edge of the pond there is Ludwigia octovalvis, vernacular names for which include water primrose, narrow-leaf water primrose, Mexican primrose willow, and seedbox. Behold one of its pretty flowers.
To see the places in the southeastern United States where this species grows, you can check out the USDA map.
© 2014 Steven Schwartzman
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I’m out of town for a while. Of course you’re welcome to leave comments, but please understand if it takes me longer than usual to respond.
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Was für eine schöne Blüte !
einfachtilda
September 23, 2014 at 6:03 AM
I’ll agree that it’s a beautiful flower, Mathilda, and fortunately a fairly common one here wherever there is a small body of water for it to grow next to.
Steve Schwartzman
September 23, 2014 at 7:34 AM
What a lovely, textural photo, of this water primrose you have captured. It’s a joy to behold.
Mary Mageau
September 23, 2014 at 6:34 AM
Agreed: the crimped texture of the petals adds to our enjoyment of this little flower. And of course there’s that rich yellow which is everyone’s friend.
Steve Schwartzman
September 23, 2014 at 7:37 AM
so bright and yellow ^_^
CJ BANE & PEARL
September 23, 2014 at 7:15 AM
So bright a yellow
Must thrill a fellow,
That central “pearl”
Attract a girl,
The growing wild
Delight a child.
Steve Schwartzman
September 23, 2014 at 7:50 AM
aww that’s nice (^_^)
CJ BANE & PEARL
September 23, 2014 at 8:04 AM
Ludwigia! I was introduced to a Ludwigia this summer, standing nearly hip deep in water. Mine had tiny flowers hiding under the large leaves. An instant favorite.
melissabluefineart
September 23, 2014 at 11:53 AM
An instant favorite: I like that, and I can understand why you felt that way. Do you happen to know what species of Ludwigia yours was?
Steve Schwartzman
September 23, 2014 at 3:12 PM
I’ll have to look it up. I noted it on the back of the photo and filed it away until I have time to do the drawing. I’ll look for it today 🙂
melissabluefineart
September 25, 2014 at 12:34 PM
great contrast! Makes the heart sing.
Heyjude
September 23, 2014 at 1:26 PM
You remind me of the song with the line “All of a sudden my heart sings.”
Steve Schwartzman
September 23, 2014 at 9:13 PM
Beautiful. 😀
Raewyn's Photos
September 23, 2014 at 2:50 PM
‘Tis.
Steve Schwartzman
September 23, 2014 at 9:13 PM
Very lovely flower and quite worthy of its namesake….although I am willing to bet we are talking about two different Ludwigs.
Steve Gingold
September 23, 2014 at 3:45 PM
We’re thinking alike on this one, Steve. I brought up the subject three years ago in a post about this species:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/not-named-for-beethoven/
Steve Schwartzman
September 23, 2014 at 9:18 PM
Thank you for sending me daily reminders of the beauty to be found in nature. I look forward to my daily post as a shot of inspiration.
Judy
September 24, 2014 at 11:22 AM
Thanks for letting me know, Judy. I’ll keep on shooting out the inspiration.
Steve Schwartzman
September 24, 2014 at 9:04 PM
Love this! Love the yellow, so bright and cheery!
zannyro
September 24, 2014 at 8:15 PM
I’ve often felt that yellow is my favorite color, and it sounds like it could be yours, too, especially this flavor of it.
Steve Schwartzman
September 24, 2014 at 9:05 PM
So lovely 🙂
zannyro
September 25, 2014 at 8:11 AM
One variety of Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens) is favored for use in aquariums. Even for a water-loving plant, that’s really sumpin’.
shoreacres
September 24, 2014 at 9:51 PM
I believe I’ve seen that species, though it wasn’t at the dawning of the Age of Aquariums, but rather at a sump in north Austin.
Steve Schwartzman
September 24, 2014 at 10:05 PM
What a beautiful photo to start Thursday.
Charlie@Seattle Trekker
September 25, 2014 at 1:38 AM
¡Buenos días!
Steve Schwartzman
September 25, 2014 at 5:09 AM
Pure sunlight! 🙂
kathryningrid
September 28, 2014 at 9:14 PM
A worthy transubstantiation.
Steve Schwartzman
September 29, 2014 at 11:15 PM