Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Elatinaceae

Genus:

Elatine

Species:

Elatine americana

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Annual

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

Less than 6 in

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

jun, jul, aug, sep

Bloom Colors:

White, Red

Native Range

United States: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, nutrient-rich, silty soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

Commonly found in shallow water or wet mud.