East Indian Hygrophila, Indian Swampweed

Hygrophila polysperma

high-GRAW-fill-ah polly-SPERM-ah

Acanthaceae

Native to: Asia

Florida abundance and distribution: Scattered throughout the state

Recognition: Aquatic weed. Leaves opposite, hairy, with pointed tips, light green to brown and sometimes a little reddish.  Flowers sessile, 3/8 inch long, the petals white hairy, two-lipped, the upper lip two-lobed, the lower lip 3-lobed.  Calyx hairy with 5 equal lobes.  Fruits narrow capsules with tiny flat round seeds.

Other: Invasive in Florida waterways since the 1980s.  A popular aquarium plant, possibly the source of the escaped weed.  FLEPPC Category I invasive species.

Contributed by: Sarah Lopinot