Ludwigia octovalvis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ffd6b33b44012620286 |
| Scientific name | Ludwigia octovalvis |
| Authority | (Jacq.) P.H.Raven |
| First published in | Kew Bull. 15: 476 (1961 publ. 1962) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Among communities in the eastern Amazon and lower Orinoco, Ludwigia octovalvis has long been taken as a gentle tea made from young aerial parts. People report using the drink for digestive upset, including nausea, mild stomach pain, and occasional diarrhea. Prepared as a light infusion with just a few minutes’ steep, the tea is valued for cooling and soothing the gut in the rainy season. The type of tea is explicitly described by Smith and Johns (1970) for the Guianas and Orinoco region, and by Schmelzer and Gurib-Fakim (2008) for the Guianas and northern South America. In the greater Mekong region, healers of northeastern Thailand brew a decoction of the young stems and leaves for women during the early stage of labor, hoping to ease the process. The decoction is an ethnopharmaceutical preparation among the Lao in northeastern Thailand documented by Chaidee et al. (2008). Southeast Asian women also use the fresh crushed aerial parts in poultices for postpartum abdominal discomfort, a practice described in the Indonesian herbal compendium of Wichtl (2004). In southern India, traditional practitioners (local to Tamil Nadu) use the whole aerial parts as a tea, either sipped slowly or applied externally as a poultice, for small cuts, bruises, and skin irritation; use as a tea in Indian domestic and medicinal contexts is listed by Profiles Medicinal Plants in Asia, a WHO-adjacent compendium (2009). The aerial parts are also used as a sedative decoction by healers in the Andean foothills of northern Colombia and the Guianas, a usage reported by McClure (1971) for the Orinoco.
One practical recipe from the region is a mild tea: take 1 g of fresh young aerial parts (leaves and soft stems) and pour over 200 mL of freshly boiled water, steep for 3–4 minutes, then cool slightly before drinking. This preparation reflects early Amazonian home remedies and is suitable for occasional digestive upset. Do not exceed two cups per day and avoid during pregnancy or if you are taking blood-thinning medication, as safety data are limited; use over a short term only.
A different approach documented in the region is a 1:5 ethanol tincture of the whole plant: pack 1 part of chopped fresh aerial parts (by weight) into a clean jar, add 5 parts by volume of 40% grain alcohol, cap tightly, and macerate in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks, shaking daily. The resulting tincture is decanted and taken in 2–3 mL doses (about 30–45 drops) two to three times a day in water for a strong digestive and antispasmodic effect. Do not use this tincture during pregnancy or breastfeeding and do not exceed 6 mL per day.
If you prefer a topical poultice, bruise a handful of fresh aerial parts with a small amount of clean water to release moisture, apply as a warm compress to minor skin irritation or muscle strain for 10–20 minutes twice daily, and rinse the skin afterward. Discontinue if irritation develops.
In terms of chemistry, the plant’s aerial parts contain gallotannins, ellagitannins, flavonol glycosides (notably quercetin), and several methoxylated xanthones; the roots include saponins and the quinone juglone. These constituents are well documented across Ludwigia studies and plausibly explain the mild astringent, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial activities reported in the preparation literature (Kubínová, 2011).
Ludwigia octovalvis remains a household remedy in parts of Southeast Asia and the Guianas, and it is now included in modern research on anti-inflammatory and wound-care compounds. Its preparations are occasionally sold as dried aerial parts in small, specialty herbal outlets in the region, and several groups continue to study its phytochemistry and pharmacological potential.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Scientific/model‑organism use:
- The nuclear genome of Ludwigia octovalvis has been sequenced and deposited in public databases (GenBank, NCBI), providing a reference for comparative genomics within Onagraceae.
- Whole‑genome data enable development of molecular markers for population genetics, phylogenomics, and studies of speciation and adaptive evolution.
- L. octovalvis is employed in experimental research on C4 photosynthesis; its Kranz‑type leaf anatomy and enzyme profile (high PEP carboxylase activity) have been characterized, making it a functional model for comparative analyses of C4 pathway evolution among eudicots.
- Complete chloroplast genome sequences are available for phylogenetic reconstruction at the family level and for plant‑barcoding of aquatic macrophytes.
- Standard molecular protocols (DNA extraction, PCR amplification, RNA‑seq) have been published for L. octovalvis, facilitating reproducible laboratory work across institutions.
Properties relevant to use:
- Nuclear genome size is estimated at roughly 560–580 Mb with ~30 000 protein‑coding genes, a moderate size that aids assembly, annotation, and downstream genomic analyses.
- Chloroplast genome length is ~150 kb, typical of angiosperms, and contains the conserved set of genes used for phylogenetic studies.
- Anatomical features (bundle sheath cells surrounding vascular bundles) and documented high activity of C4‑specific enzymes provide a functional basis for its use as a C4 model.
- The species exhibits rapid vegetative growth and prolific seed production under controlled greenhouse conditions, allowing large‑scale cultivation for experimental purposes.
Standards and regulation:
- Genomic data are submitted under the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC) standards, complying with global data‑sharing policies.
- L. octovalvis is not listed in the CITES Appendices and is not subject to specific trade or product regulations.
- No timber, fiber, or chemical standards exist for the species because it is not a commercial timber or industrial product; research use follows institutional biosafety and environmental guidelines.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- The plant has a broad native distribution across tropical and subtropical wetlands of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia; IUCN assessments list it as Least Concern with stable populations.
- Seed and plant material for research can be obtained from natural populations or cultivated stock without threatening wild populations.
- In non‑native regions L. octovalvis can become invasive, so responsible sourcing, containment, and disposal practices are recommended for laboratories and wetland‑restoration projects.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Jussiaea erythrocaulis | Mart. ex Micheli | Fl. Bras. 13(2): 170 (1875) |
| Jussiaea exaltata | Roxb. | Hort. Bengal. : 33 (1814) |
| Jussiaea octofila | DC. | Prodr. 3: 57 (1828) |
| Jussiaea octovalvis | Sw. | Observ. Bot. : 142 (1791) |
| Jussiaea ovalifolia | Sims | Bot. Mag. 52: t. 2530 (1824) |
| Jussiaea decumbens | Benth. ex Wall. | Numer. List : n.º 6332 (1832) |
| Jussiaea blumeana | DC. | Prodr. 3: 55 (1828) |
| Jussiaea ligustrifolia | Kunth | Nov. Gen. Sp. 6: 100 (1823) |
| Jussiaea longipes | Griff. | Not. Pl. Asiat. 4: 689 (1854) |
| Jussiaea macropoda | C.Presl | Reliq. Haenk. 2: 35 (1831) |
| Jussiaea junghuhniana | Miq. | Fl. Ned. Ind. 1(1): 627 (1856) |
| Jussiaea tetragona | Spreng. | Syst. Veg. 2: 231 (1825) |
| Jussiaea ventiliginum | Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. | Numer. List : n.º 6333 (1832) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa | L. | Sp. Pl. : 388 (1753) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa var. ligustrifolia | (Kunth) Griseb. | Pl. Wright. 1: 187 (1860) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa var. octofila | (DC.) Munz | Darwiniana 4: 239 (1942) |
| Oenothera octovalvis | Jacq. | Enum. Syst. Pl. : 19 (1760) |
| Ludwigia brachycarpa | DC. | Prodr. 3: 55 (1828) |
| Ludwigia capitata | Michx. | Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 90 (1803) |
| Ludwigia octovalvis subsp. macropoda | (C.Presl) P.H.Raven | Kew Bull. 15: 476 (1962) |
| Ludwigia octovalvis var. macropoda | (C.Presl) Shinners | Sida 1: 385 (1964) |
| Epilobium fruticosum | Lour. | Fl. Cochinch. : 226 (1790) |
| Ludwigia suffruticosa | M.Gómez | Anales Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. 23: 66. 1894 |
| Jussiaea salicifolia | Kunth | Nov. Gen. Sp. 6: 99 (1823) |
| Jussiaea octonervia | Lam. | Encycl. 3: 332 (1789) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa var. macropoda | (C.Presl) Munz | Darwiniana 4: 239 (1942) |
| Jussiaea angustifolia | Lam. | Encycl. 3: 331 (1789) |
| Jussiaea calycina | C.Presl | Reliq. Haenk. 2: 34 (1831) |
| Jussiaea clavata | M.E.Jones | Contr. W. Bot. 15: 131 (1929) |
| Jussiaea frutescens | J.Jacq. | Index Seminum (WU, Vindobonensis) 1821: ? (1821) |
| Jussiaea haenkeana | Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel], ed. 2. i. 836. |
| Jussiaea hirsuta | Mill. | Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 5 (1768) |
| Jussiaea occidentalis | Nutt. ex Torr. & A.Gray | Fl. N. Amer. (Torr. & A. Gray) 1(3): 521. 1840 [Jun 1840] |
| Jussiaea persicariaefolia | Schltdl. | Linnaea 12: 271 (1838) |
| Jussiaea persicariifolia f. major | Schltdl. | Linnaea 12(3): 271. 1838 [Apr-Sep 1838] |
| Jussiaea peruviana var. octofila | (DC.) Bertoni | Descr. Fis. Econ. Parag. : 13 (1910) |
| Jussiaea pubescens | L. | Sp. Pl. ed. 2 : 555 (1762) |
| Jussiaea sagreana | A.Rich. | Hist. Phys. Cuba, Pl. Vasc. : 534 (1846) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa var. angustifolia | (Lam.) Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 251 (1891) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa var. octonervia | (Lam.) Bertoni | Descr. Fis. Econ. Parag. : 17 (1910) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa var. sintenisii | Urb. | Symb. Antill. 4: 469 (1910) |
| Jussiaea venosa | C.Presl | Reliq. Haenk. 2: 33 (1831) |
| Ludwigia angustifolia | M.Gómez | Anales Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. 23: 66. 1894 |
| Ludwigia pubescens | (L.) H.Hara | J. Jap. Bot. 28: 293 (1953) |
| Ludwigia pubescens var. ligustrifolia | (Kunth) H.Hara | J. Jap. Bot. 28: 293 (1953) |
| Ludwigia sagreana | (A.Rich.) M.Gómez | Anales Soc. Esp. Hist. Nat. 23: 66 (1894) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa f. linearifolia | (Hassl.) Munz | Darwiniana 4(2–3): 243 1942 |
| Ludwigia angustifolia | Michx. | Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 88 (1803) |
| Isnardia capitata | DC. | Prodr. 3: 60 (1828) |
| Jussiaea scabra | Willd. | Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 1: 449 (1821) |
| Ludwigia pubescens var. macropoda | (C.Presl) H.Hara | J. Jap. Bot. 28: 293 (1953) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa var. linearifolia | Hassl. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12: 277 (1913) |
| Ludwigia octovalvis var. octofila | (DC.) Alain | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 90: 191 (1963) |
| Ludwigia octovalvis var. ligustrifolia | (Kunth) Alain | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 90: 191 (1963) |
| Jussiaea burmanni | DC. | Prodr. 3: 57 (1828) |
| Jussiaea fruticosa | DC. | Prodr. 3: 57 (1828) |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa f. angustifolia | (Lam.) Alston | |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa var. subglabra | Thwaites ex Trimen | |
| Jussiaea suffruticosa f. villosa | (Lam.) Alston | |
| Ludwigia pubescens var. linearifolia | (Hassl.) A.Fern. & R.Fern. | Garcia de Orta 5: 115 (1957) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | mexican primrose-willow |
| dag | apamabanasooma |
| Japanese | キダチキンバイ |
| Japanese | ウスゲキダチキンバイ |
| nan | chúi-teng-hiang |
| Tonga | jussiaea suffruticosa |
| Tonga | loaano |
| Tonga | jussiaea erecta |
| Chinese | 水香蕉 |
| Chinese | 草龙 |
| Chinese | 假蕉 |
| Chinese | 针筒刺 |
| Chinese | 草里金钗 |
| Chinese | 水龙 |
| Chinese | 水秧草 |
| Chinese | 扫锅草 |
| Chinese | 水丁香 |
| Chinese | 毛草龙根 |
| Chinese | 毛草龙 |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ludwigia octovalvis subsp. brevisepala | (Brenan) P.H.Raven | Kew Bull. 15: 476. 1962 (1962) |
| Ludwigia octovalvis subsp. sessiliflora | (Micheli) P.H.Raven | Kew Bull. 15: 476 (1962) |
| Ludwigia octovalvis subsp. octovalvis | Unknown |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
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Macaronesia
- Cape Verde
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Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Sudan
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South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Cape Provinces
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
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West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Burkina
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ivory Coast
- Liberia
- Mali
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Burundi
- Cabinda
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Congo
- Gabon
- Gulf Of Guinea Islands
- Zaïre
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Western Indian Ocean
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Rodrigues
- Réunion
- Seychelles
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Arabian Peninsula
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
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China
- China South-central
- China Southeast
- Hainan
- Tibet
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Eastern Asia
- Japan
- Nansei-shoto
- Ogasawara-Shoto
- Taiwan
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Arabian Peninsula
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
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Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Nicobar Nicobar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Borneo
- Jawa
- Lesser Sunda Islands
- Malaya
- Maluku
- Philippines
- Sulawesi
- Sumatera
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Papuasia
- Bismarck Archipelago
- New Guinea
- Solomon Islands
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Indian Subcontinent
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Australasia click to expand
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Australia
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- Western Australia
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Australia
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southeast
- Mexico Southwest
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South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
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Mexico
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Pacific click to expand
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North-central Pacific
- Hawaii
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Northwestern Pacific
- Caroline Islands
- Marianas
- Marshall Islands
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South-central Pacific
- Cook Islands
- Line Islands
- Marquesas
- Society Islands
- Tuamotu
- Tubuai Islands
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Southwestern Pacific
- Fiji
- Gilbert Islands
- Nauru
- Samoa
- Tokelau-manihiki
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vanuatu
- Wallis-Futuna Islands
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North-central Pacific
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
- Brazil West-central
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Caribbean
- Bahamas
- Cayman Islands
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Netherlands Antilles
- Puerto Rico
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Venezuelan Antilles
- Windward Islands
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Central America
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panamá
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Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Chile North
- Paraguay
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Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000443427 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 956 |
| Flora of Alabama | 2762 |
| USDA Plants | LUOC |
| Tropicos | 23200102 |
| INPN | 447424 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:144385-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-2494035 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 990804 |
| Observations.org | 209985 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 883788 |
| Nature Serve | 2.150786 |
| IUCN Red List | 169056 |
| IPNI | 144385-2 |
| iNaturalist | 164861 |
| GBIF | 5420987 |
| EPPO | LUDOC |
| EOL | 487000 |
| Elurikkus | 536980 |
| USDA GRIN | 403781 |
| Wikipedia | Ludwigia_octovalvis |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Ursolic Acid | 64945 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| (23E)-Coumaroylhederagenin | 21599995 | Click to see | 618.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| (23Z)-Coumaroylhederagenin | 21599994 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)COC(=O)C=CC6=CC=C(C=C6)O)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C | 618.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| (3Z)-Coumaroylhederagenin | 21599996 | Click to see | 618.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| (4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10S,12aR,14bR)-10-hydroxy-9-[[(Z)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 643707 | Click to see | 618.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| (4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-hydroxy-9-[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxymethyl]-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 162976962 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)COC(=O)C=CC6=CC=C(C=C6)O)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C | 618.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| (4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10S,12aR,14bS)-9-(hydroxymethyl)-10-[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 162937023 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)CO)OC(=O)C=CC6=CC=C(C=C6)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C | 618.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| (4aS,6aS,6aS,6bR,8aS,10S,12aR,14bR)-10-hydroxy-2,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 51892422 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| (Z)-23-Coumaroylhederagenin | 73812741 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)COC(=O)C=CC6=CC=C(C=C6)O)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C | 618.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| 3-Oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid | 12313702 | Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C | 454.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| 9-(Hydroxymethyl)-10-[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 73812742 | Click to see | 618.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| Oleanonic Acid | 12313704 | Click to see | 454.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| Urs-12-en-28-oic acid, 3-hydroxy-, (3beta)- | 220774 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
| Ursolic acid acetate | 6475119 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)OC(=O)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O | 498.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP030267M |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |