Download NYNHP Conservation Guide for Globe

Globe-fruited Ludwigia
Ludwigia sphaerocarpa plant
Scientific Name
Ludwigia sphaerocarpa
Ell.
Family Name
Onagraceae
Evening-Primrose Family
Did you know?
Although this species grows almost exclusively
near the coast there are a few populations known
from close to 600 miles inland (Peng 1989). The
specific epithet sphaerocarpa means spherical
fruited (Fernald 1970) and indicates the shape of
the fruits of this species.
Photo credits: Stephen M. Young
Summary
Protection Threatened in New York State, not listed federally.
This level of state protection means: listed species are those with: 1) 6 to fewer than 20
extant sites, or 2) 1,000 to fewer than 3,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to not less than 4
or more than 7 U.S.G.S. 7 ½ minute topographical maps, or 4) listed as threatened by
U.S. Department of Interior.
Rarity G5, S2
A global rarity rank of G5 means: This species is demonstrably secure globally, though it
may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
A state rarity rank of S2 means: This plant is threatened/imperiled in New York because of
rarity (typically 6-20 populations or few remaining individuals) or is vulnerable to extirpation
from New York due to biological factors.
Conservation Status in New York
There are 17 known extant populations but many of these sites are very close together.
There are also about 8 populations which have not been seen in over 70 years and are
considered historical. This species is near the northern edge of its range in southeastern
New York and the habitat that this species prefers in New York is limited.
NYNHP Conservation Guide - Globe-fruited Ludwigia (Ludwigia sphaerocarpa)
Short-term Trends
Development has encroached upon some of the very limited habitat for this species in New
York but most of the habitat at the known extant populations appears to be in good shape.
At a few populations the habitat is somewhat degraded. Otherwise, there is no clear data
indicating what the short term trends are for this species.
Long-term Trends
There are around 8 populations which have not been seen in over 70 years. Many of these
populations occur within the greater New York City metropolitan area and may have
become extirpated as a result of urbanization. It is possible that some of these populations
are still extant but even if they are, it is likely they occur in degraded habitat. Although long
term trends are not decisive they appear to indicate that this species has declined within
the past 150 or so years.
Conservation and Management
Threats
Habitat conversion or destruction as a result of urbanization or development has probably
led to the extirpation of numerous historical populations. Habitat conversion or destruction
as a result of development and/or off road vehicles is a potential threat at some extant
populations.
Conservation Strategies and Management Practices
Populations of this species and their associated habitats should be protected from
disturbances by off road vehicles and development.
Research Needs
Historical populations should be surveyed to determine if they are still extant. Extant
populations should be monitored periodically.
Habitat
In New York, this species primarily occurs just in or on the edges of shallow coastal plain ponds set
in pine barrens. These ponds vary greatly in water levels from year to year. Plants occur emergent
from just within the ponds or on the exposed pond shores. They also occur in herbaceous openings
in shrub swamps and along channels or outlets/inlets of wetlands in pine barrens. One population
from the lower Hudson Valley occurs on floating vegetation mats and in shallow water along the
shore of a pond (New York Natural Heritage Program 2007). Swamps and wet soil (Gleason and
Cronquist 1991). Plants of Ludwigia sphaerocarpa grow in drainage ditches, on stream or pond
shores, and in river marshes, swales, swamp forests, edges of limestone sinks, peaty bogs in
pastures, and interdunal marshes (Peng 1989). Sandy and peaty pond-margins and swamps
(Fernald 1970).
NYNHP Conservation Guide - Globe-fruited Ludwigia (Ludwigia sphaerocarpa)
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Associated Ecological Communities
Coastal Plain Pond
The aquatic community of the permanently flooded portion of a coastal plain pond with
seasonally, and annually fluctuating water levels. These are shallow, groundwater-fed
ponds that occur in kettle-holes or shallow depressions in the outwash plains south of the
terminal moraines of Long Island, and New England. A series of coastal plain ponds are
often hydrologically connected, either by groundwater, or sometimes by surface flow in a
small coastal plain stream.
Coastal Plain Pond Shore
The gently sloping shore of a coastal plain pond with seasonally and annually fluctuating
water levels. Plants growing on the pond shore vary with water levels. In dry years when
water levels are low there is often a dense growth of annual sedges, grasses, and herbs.
Submerged and floating-leaved aquatic plants, such as fragrant waterlily and pondweeds,
may become "stranded" on the exposed shore. In wet years when the water level is high
only a few emergents and floating-leaved aquatics may be noticeable. The vegetation of
this pond shore community can change dramatically from one year to the next depending
on fluctuations in groundwater levels.
Pine Barrens Shrub Swamp
A shrub-dominated wetland that occurs in shallow depressions in the coastal plain, often as
the transition zone between a coastal plain pond shore and either pitch pine-scrub oak
barrens or pitch pine-oak forest.
Associated Species
Walter's Sedge (Carex striata)
Tussock Sedge (Carex stricta)
Hairy Swamp Loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus)
Robbins Spikerush (Eleocharis robbinsii)
Seven-angle Pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum)
Canada Rush (Juncus canadensis)
Bayonet Rush (Juncus militaris)
Nuttall's Lobelia (Lobelia nuttallii)
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)
Tall Beaked-rush (Rhynchospora macrostachya)
Small's Yellow-eyed-grass (Xyris smalliana)
Identification Comments
Globe-fruited Ludwigia is a perennial herbaceous plant that is usually between 60 and 110
cm. tall. The lower part of the stem below the leaves is light gray and spongy/corky. It has
narrow alternate leaves along the stems with flowers in the axils of the upper leaves. The
flowers lack true petals but the four sepals are yellow within and showy. Therefore, they
can be mistaken for true petals. The flowers mature into roundish fruits (Peng 1989).
NYNHP Conservation Guide - Globe-fruited Ludwigia (Ludwigia sphaerocarpa)
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Best Life Stage for Identifying This Species
This species can readily be identified when it is in flower or fruit.
The Best Time to See
In New York, this species starts to flower in mid-July or occasionally earlier. Immature fruits
begin to appear in late July and last until mid-September or a little bit later. It is easiest to
spot and identify this species when it is in flower or fruit and therefore, the best time to
survey for this species is between mid-July and mid-September.
Flowering
Fruiting
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
The time of year you would expect to find Globe-fruited Ludwigia in New York.
Similar Species
Ludwigia alternifolia has pedicellate flowers (pedicels 3-5 mm long), petals about as long
as the calyx lobes, and lacks stolons vs. sessile to sub-sessile flowers (pedicels up to
0.5-1.5(-2.3) mm long), petals lacking or minute, and basal stolons produced for Ludwigia
sphaerocarpa (Fernald 1970, Peng 1989, Gleason and Cronquist 1991).
Ludwigia polycarpa is not known from New York but occurs in adjacent states and is
perhaps the most similar. It shares being in section Microcarpium with L. sphaerocarpa.
Ludwigia polycarpa has fruits longer than wide, sepals green adaxially, the apex elongate
acuminate and reflexed, and bracteoles are 3.5-6.5(-8) mm long vs. fruits that are about as
long as wide, sepals are yellow adaxially, the apex acuminate and ascending, and
bracteoles are 0.5-1.5 mm long for L. sphaerocarpa (Peng 1989).
Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, can also have spongy lower stems in standing water.
Conservation Comments
Four varieties of Ludwigia sphaerocarpa were described by Fernald (1935, 1970) with var.
sphaerocarpa (as var. typica) and var. macrocarpa occurring in New York. Peng (1989)
lumped these four varieties together showing that the characters used to separate them did
not correlate. Recent authors (Gleason and Cronquist 1991, Kartesz 1994, Weakley 2007)
follow Peng's circumscription and recognize only one highly variable taxon. Ludwigia
sphaerocarpa occurs and hybridizes with L. glandulosa, L. linearis, L. pilosa,and L.
polycarpa. None of these species or hybrids with them are known from New York (Peng
1989). This species is believed to be of hybrid origin with one or both of its parents extinct
(Peng 1988, 1989).
Taxonomy
NYNHP Conservation Guide - Globe-fruited Ludwigia (Ludwigia sphaerocarpa)
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Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Anthophyta
Class
Dicots (Dicotyledoneae)
Order
Myrtales
Family
Onagraceae (Evening-Primrose Family)
Additional Common Names
Globe-fruited false loosestrife
Globe-fruited seedbox
Ludwigia
Round-pod water-primrose
Spherical-fruited seed box
Synonyms
Ludwigia sphaerocarpa var. macrocarpa (Fern. & Grisc.)
Additional Resources
Links
New York Flora Atlas
http://www.newyork.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1967
USDA Plants Database
http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?mode=sciname&keywordquery=
LUDWIGIA+SPHAEROCARPA
NatureServe Explorer
http://natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=LUDWIGIA+SPHAERO
CARPA
Google Images
http://images.google.com/images?q=LUDWIGIA+SPHAEROCARPA
References
Clemants, Steven and Carol Gracie. 2006. Wildflowers in the Field and Forest. A Field Guide to the
Northeastern United States. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. 445 pp.
Crow, Garrett E. and C. Barre Hellquist. 2000. Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Northeastern North
America: A revised and enlarged edition of Norman C. Fassett's a Manual of Aquatic Plants.
Volume One: Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Angiosperms: Dicotyledon
Fernald, M.L. 1950. Gray's manual of botany. 8th edition. D. Van Nostrand, New York. 1632 pp.
Fernald, M.L. and L. Griscom. 1935. Three days of botanizing in southeastern Virginia. Rhodora 37:
167-189.
Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States
and Adjacent Canada. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. 910 pp.
Holmgren, Noel. 1998. The Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual. Illustrations
NYNHP Conservation Guide - Globe-fruited Ludwigia (Ludwigia sphaerocarpa)
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of the Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. The New York
Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York.
Kartesz, John T. 1994. A synonomized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada
and Greenland. Volume 1-Checklist. Volume 2-Thesaurus.
Keys, Jr.,J.; Carpenter, C.; Hooks, S.; Koenig, F.; McNab, W.H.; Russell, W.;Smith, M.L. 1995.
Ecological units of the eastern United States - first approximation (cd-rom), Atlanta, GA: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. GIS coverage in ARCINFO format, selected imagery,
and map unit tables.
Mitchell, Richard S. and Gordon C. Tucker. 1997. Revised Checklist of New York State Plants.
Contributions to a Flora of New York State. Checklist IV. Bulletin No. 490. New York State
Museum. Albany, NY. 400 pp.
NatureServe. 2005. NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, Virginia. USA
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2010. Biotics database. New York Natural Heritage Program.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, NY.
Peng, Ching-I 1988. The Biosystematics of Ludwigia Sect. Microcarpium (Onagraceae). Annals of
the Missouri Botanical Garden 75: 970-1009.
Peng, Ching-I 1989. The systematics and evolution of Ludwigia Sect. Microcarpium (Onagraceae).
Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 76: 221-302.
Reid, B. 2001. Ludwigia sphaerocarpa (Globe-fruited False-loosestrife) Conservation and
Research Plan. New England Plant Conservation Program, Framingham, Massachusetts,
USA (http://www.newfs.org).
Rhoads, Ann F. and Timothy A. Block. 2000. The Plants of Pennsylvania, an Illustrated Manual.
University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, PA.
Voss, E.G. 1985. Michigan Flora. Part II. Dicots (Saururaceae - Cornaceae). Cranbrook Institute of
Science and University of Michigan Herbarium. Ann Arbor, Michigan. 724 pp.
Weakley, A. S. 2007. Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, and surrounding areas. Working draft
of 11 January 2007. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical
Garden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Online. Av
Weldy, T. and D. Werier. 2010. New York flora atlas. [S.M. Landry, K.N. Campbell, and L.D. Mabe
(original application development), Florida Center for Community Design and Research
http://www.fccdr.usf.edu/. University of South Florida http://www.usf.edu/
Weldy, Troy W. and David Werier. 2005. New York Flora Atlas. [S.M. Landry, K.N. Campbell, and
L.D. Mabe (original application development), Florida Center for Community Design and
Research. University of South Florida]. New York Flora Association, Albany,
New York Natural Heritage Program
This project is made possible with funding from:
625 Broadway, 5th Floor,
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River
Albany, NY 12233-4757
Estuary Program
Phone: (518) 402-8935
- Division of Lands & Forests, Department of Environmental Conservation
[email protected]
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Information for this guide was last updated on Nov 18, 2015
This guide was authored by
NYNHP Conservation Guide - Globe-fruited Ludwigia (Ludwigia sphaerocarpa)
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