Ludwigia alternifolia

Common Names

Seedbox, Rattlebox, Bushy Seedbox, Alternate-Leaved Seedbox

Summary

Seedbox is a native perennial herb in the Onagraceae family, native to eastern North America. It grows upright with multiple branches, reddish-tinged stems, and alternate lance-shaped leaves up to about 4 inches long. From the upper leaf axils, short-stalked yellow flowers with four petals appear, and each flower lasts briefly. After flowering, cube-shaped seed capsules up to 1/4 inch long develop and release numerous seeds through a pore at the capsule apex, producing a distinctive rattle when mature. The plant occurs in wetlands such as marshes, swamps, stream banks, pond edges, and wet meadows, typically in full sun with wet to moist soils. For cultivation, it thrives in full sun with very wet to moist soils, suitable for rain gardens, water gardens, pond margins, and other naturalized wet areas. It is hardy to USDA zones 4a–8b and can be propagated by seeds or cuttings in spring or early summer, with seeds sown in wet soil and cuttings placed in water or wet soil until roots form. Flowers attract bees and the yellow, cube-fruited display adds year‑round landscape interest in native plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-5 feet

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-8b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist to wet soils

Soil Drainage

Wet, poorly drained soils

Soil pH

pH below 6.0 to around 6.5

Bloom Color

Yellow

Bloom Time

May–October (Spring to Fall)

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Grows to about 1 meter tall.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, moths, and birds