Justicia ovata
looseflower water-willow, looseflower waterwillow, coastal plain water-willow, coastal plain waterwillow
Photo credit: Larry Allain, U.S. Geological Survey
Photo credit: Larry Allain, U.S. Geological Survey
Photo credit: Larry Allain, U.S. Geological Survey
Photo credit: Larry Allain, U.S. Geological Survey
Photo credit: Larry Allain, U.S. Geological Survey
Photo credit: Larry Allain, U.S. Geological Survey
Photo credit: Larry Allain, U.S. Geological Survey
Family
Acanthaceae
Leaf Arrangement
opposite, decussate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
elliptic, lanceolate, oblanceolate
Growth Form
forb
Flower Color
pink, purple, white
Flower Month
May - July
Height (meters)
0.1 - 1.0
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Growing Season
Cool season
Wetland Class
OBL
Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism
5
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
3
Field Characters
Similar to Dicliptera brachiata, which has scant or no petioles and a stem with ridges, while Justicias’ have somewhat hexogonal stems and substantial (up to 3 cm) petioles.
Natural History
Found in wet and swampy ground throughout Louisiana and southeast Texas.
Habitat
Mud or shallow water, low woods and marshes.