SouthEastern Texas Wetlands - Local Biotopes

davemonkey · 12-30-2008, 04:49 PM

I was driving through Chambers County today and stopped by a road ditch to see what was in it. I was pleasantly surprised with a few different plants. I was able to ID some Bacopa monneiri, seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) and some different hairgrasses. But I don't know three of them.

This first one looks like a ludwigia, but is very small. I know that L.peploides is common around here, maybe these are babies? Leaves are opposite. It was growing in a thick clump just below the water surface.

This next one looks VERY similar, but it a bit larger-leaved, and leaves are alternate. It was growing in small clusters or 2-3 stems, sometimes only 1.

Here is a comparison of the two. Notice the size difference.

Can anyone make a good guess or positive ID?
-Dave

davemonkey · 12-30-2008, 04:52 PM

Here is the third plant I could not ID. It's a rosette-like plant. I have absolutely NO clue what it is.

Here's a pic of the ditch, followed by a mat of Bacopa monneiri.

-Dave

THHNguyen · 12-30-2008, 04:55 PM

The first one might be Ludwigia repens and the larger red plant might be Ludwigia glandulosa. Very nice finds!

davemonkey · 12-30-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THHNguyen

The first one might be Ludwigia repens and the larger red plant might be Ludwigia glandulosa. Very nice finds!

Thanks!

Tex Gal · 12-30-2008, 05:17 PM

What a neat find! I agree with the id's that Huy said. That would be my guess. We'll see if other's have different ideas.

Cavan Allen · 12-30-2008, 06:01 PM

1. Ludwigia palustris (probably)
2. L. glandulosa
3. dunno, but I'll bet it turns out to be a stem. Grow it out...

davemonkey · 12-30-2008, 06:14 PM

Thanks, all, for the answers. I don't think I have to light output for L.glandulosa, but I'll see what it does. The others I'll plant and see what they do. I'll update if anything neat happens (like #3 stretching out to a stemmie) .

-Dave

HoustonFishFanatic · 12-30-2008, 06:18 PM

Wow those are great Dave!When can we go collecting?

davemonkey · 12-30-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoustonFishFanatic

Wow those are great Dave!When can we go collecting?

Whenever you want! I'm just now learning the roads over there, but the entire county is FULL of wetlands and ditches that never dry. Anytime you guys want to tour the area "for conservation assistance" just let me know.

TNguyen · 12-30-2008, 07:13 PM

ADG use to have a guy that like to dive into ditches all the time. They give him the nickname - ditch diver. hmmmmm