Ludwigia brevipes

Ludwigia brevipes has its origins in the southeastern USA, where it grows in boggy areas along the Atlantic coas (Virginia, North and South Carolina).
This narrow-leaved Ludwigia is often erroneously sold under the name L. arcuata, with which it is easily confounded in its submersed form. Both plants can only be safely differentiated in their emersed flowering forms (please see description of Ludwigia arcuata). Whereas L. brevipes has smaller, narrower petals and hairless stems, the petals of L. arcuata are relatively large, and its stems are slightly hirsute.

Sufficient light (0.5 watts per litre or above) is the most important aspect when cultivating this plant submersed. Adding micro- and macronutrients is beneficial, especially if CO2 is injected. Low nitrate levels, going together with relatively high phosphate readings, provide a reddish, sometimes orange colouration of the shoot tips. Emersed cultivation is possible, given that the plant gets sufficient light.

When trimming this plant, cut away those shoots you consider unsightly. After cutting back, new lateral shoots will form after a short time, thus giving the plant a very bushy look. Propagation is easy, as in all stem plants: Just cut off lateral shoots or the shoot tips and re-plant in the substrate.

L. brevipes has the most effect when planted in groups in the fore- or middleground, neighbouring palnt species that bring out its beautiful finely structured reddish leaves. Especially well-suited neighbours are e.g. Micranthemum umbrosum and Bacopa australis.