Ludwiga peruviana

July 25, 2023

Ludwiga peruviana is an invasive weed that is threatening elephant habitats and foraging grounds in Valaprai, Tamil Nadu.
It has infested the majority of the hill station’s swamps, locally known as vayals.
It is popularly called primrose willow and is a native of Central and South America including Peru.
It was probably introduced as an ornamental plant for its tiny yellow flowers.
It grows fast along water bodies and is among the 22 priority invasive plants in Tamil Nadu.
It mainly spreads along the swamps in the middle of the tea estates and forms thickets.
- These swamps are known for excellent grass covers, sedges and water sources that are very good for herbivores like gaur and elephant in particular.
Ludwigia poses a unique challenge as it grows in swamps and there is little scope to use machinery which may further destroy the ecosystem.
Even if Ludwigia is pulled out manually, the soft plant easily breaks and it spreads again from the root or broken stems that fall in the swamp.