Water Willow

(Justicia americana)

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Water Willow (Justicia americana)

Identification: Flowers orchidlike, white or light violet, with purple spots or other markings in the throat. Lower petal elongate with two elongate, twisted lateral petals. Flowers usually in small clusters. Leaves elongate, willowlike, opposite. Plant 1 to 3 feet in height.

Distribution: Wisconsin to Texas in the west, southeastern Canada in the north, east to the coast, and southward to Florida.

Habitat: This species is found along the banks of or in the shallow waters of rivers, ponds, and lakes.

Flowering Period: June to October.

 

Water Willow (Justicia americana)

Similar Species:

The willowlike opposite leaves and the orchidlike white flowers with purple throats are distinctive.

Similar Species

No Similar Species