Howdy, Folks..
I found this plant volunteering in a potted cactus I have growing outside. I've done some Google image searches but can't find anything (yet) that resembles it. I'm sure it is another one of our many "weeds" that grow here but can't be sure.

The flower, as you can see, is only four petals, not multi-petaled as with tickseed and other wild coreopsis. The leaves are thin, long, lanceolate. What's really interesting to me is the flowers are borne in the axils along each branch, seeming to give it a long bloom time. Heck, I even like the seed pods.

Any ideas?
Thanks!
Shoe (befuddled)

Ludwigia bonariensis looks close but there are others ..

http://www.southeasternflora.c...

http://luirig.altervista.org/f...

Ludwigia decurrens is possible, the seed pods vary according to species ..

Some folks refer to the Ludwigia genus as “Seedbox” rather than “Primrose-willow” because of the boxy seed capsules most (perhaps all?) species have. However, these seed capsules have different shapes, with, for example, Ludwigia alternifolia having mostly cube-shaped capsules, while this species, Ludwigia decurrens has an elongated seed capsule which, like L. alternifolia, is square in cross-section.

http://uswildflowers.com/detai...

that is a some type of Ludwigia.

Wow, I have finally been on All Things Plants long enough that I actually recognized it as a Ludwigia!!!

This is the one I have growing here, Shoe.



Not sure if it's the same as what you have, but I really enjoy it.

The seed pods are different on that one chelle ..

http://uswildflowers.com/detai...

Wowzers, Folks!

Ya'll hit the nail on the head! Definitely Ludwigia. And I'm inclined to go with L. decurrens due to the elongated seed pod as well as the fact they are longer and square rather than short and "cube like" as described for L. alternafolia. (And darn, I always liked saying "bonariensis", it makes me feel smart, but alas...it doesn't look like that one.) But I'm easy and can now add 'decurrens' to my vocabulary!)

I just took these pics, hopefully showing the decurrent leaf attachment and I also cut the top off one of the seed pods to show its squareness.

Thanks a gajillion everyone!
Best to you and yours,
Shoe

The extra shot certainly verifies it as Ludwigia decurrens Shoe!

The alternate leaves of Ludwigia decurrens are “decurrent” - the leaf base extends down the stem as “wings”. It is the only Ludwigia with winged stems.

http://uswildflowers.com/detai...

Yay! Thanks, Super Sleuth!

I'm a happy camper now. I went looking around my place to see if any more of these are growing but so far this is the only one.

Guess I'll babysit it and might even save some of those seeds pods when they dry. Chelle, I'd be happy to send you some if you want to add to your collection.

Thanks again, folks.
Shoe (off to pick okra and grill it along with a dead chicken for supper tonight )

I agree. I'm not sure why, but the word "bonariensis" does sound smarter than "decurrens."

Referring to your supper as a grilled dead chicken, however, could turn the more squeamish individuals into vegetarians.

Shoe is being humane. It is far better than grilling a live chicken. That could get rather noisy.

Better bag those Ludwigia seed heads as they tend to spew rather abruptly, usually while you are busy doing other things.

Oh, that paints an even worse picture for the squeamish.

Horseshoe said:Yay! Thanks, Super Sleuth!

I'm a happy camper now. I went looking around my place to see if any more of these are growing but so far this is the only one.

Guess I'll babysit it and might even save some of those seeds pods when they dry. Chelle, I'd be happy to send you some if you want to add to your collection.

Thanks again, folks.
Shoe (off to pick okra and grill it along with a dead chicken for supper tonight )

Thanks Shoe. I just might take you up on that...if you happen to catch some of those jumpy seeds! The dead chicken reference made me grin, too. I'm kind of wishing you'd drop by and invite my neighbor's loose and destructive birds for dinner as well.

"Oh, that paints an even worse picture for the squeamish."

Yep, not a pretty picture, zuzu... (I couldn't keep that live chicken sittin' on the grill long enough to cook evenly...it kept wanting to jump off for some reason.) (And I can talk like this cus I spent my years as a vegetarian in my 20's. *grin)

Greene, good idea, will bag those pods.

Shoe (okra is picked. Now where's that chicken??)

Shoe, I just looked it up and that plant appears to be a struggling native in Indiana, and apparently it likes marshland (which I have), so that's a big yes, if you can. It looks like cuttings will root readily in water as well...if the seed thing doesn't work out.

Thanks for thinking of me.

Because the Ludwigia is a tall, skinny plant I think the knee high stockings might be a good way to bag the plant to catch the seeds.
Can't find an image to send you but they sell these at Walmart in a small clear plastic container, usually 3 or 4 pair for $1.

Chelle...mine wasn't in "marshland" but it did get watered on a regular basis due to it being amongst my potted perennials I watered quite often. (And it was in a cactus pot!) :>)
Thanks, I saw the info about it being easily rooted; I'll try that as well as save some seed pods and get back in touch w/ya.

Greene...hah! I already have a collection of "support stockings" laying around...now I know what else I can do with them other than rip them up and tie up tomato plants! thanks!

Shoe (now adding purple hulls and collard greens to his dead chicken supper tonight)

Thanks to everyone here for my grins/laughter for the day.

Heheheh, our pleasure, flaflwrgirl/Ann

And I'm tickled pink to have found out the name of this plant. Heck, I could've had nightmares about it becoming something akin to the Little Shop of Horrors plant if these folks hadn't come to my rescue. :>_

Happy Day All!
Shoe (burping)

Sheesh, I thought after that big thank you he would have invited us all over for a chicken dinner.