Shortseed Waterwort
Elatine brachysperma
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Mexico, Peru, United States, Uruguay
iNaturalist: © doviende (iNaturalist #314240650)






Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Elatinaceae
- Genus:
- Elatine
- Species:
- Elatine brachysperma
- USDA Symbol:
- ELBR5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 10 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, silty loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wetland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require wet or submerged conditions; may germinate on exposed mudflats as water recedes.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI