Dianthera americana

Justicia americana, the American water-willow, is a herbaceous, aquatic flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae native to North America. It is the hardiest species in the genus Justicia, the other members of which being largely tropical and subtropical, and it is able to survive as far north as USDA zone 4. It is common throughout its range. The grows partially submerged in still or flowing water, reaching up to 40 cm (16 in) tall from a creeping rhizome. The leaves are 10 cm (3.9 in), opposite, sessile, linear or lanceolate, and slightly crenulated. The flowers are bicolored, born in opposite arrangement on spikes 3 cm (1.2 in) long coming off a peduncle 10 cm (3.9 in) long. Color ranges from white to pale lavender with the upper corolla lip pale violet or white, arching over the lower lip mottled in dark purple. The lateral lobes are unadorned or slightly blushed. The anthers are purplish-red rather than the usual yellow. Flowering is from May to October. The fruit of this plant is a small brown capsule. The creeping rhizome allows Justicia americana to form large colonies on or near the shorelines of still or slow waters in lakes and rivers, and on rocky riffles and shoals in faster flowing rivers. Its rhizomes and roots provide important spawning sites for many fish species and habitat for invertebrates.

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Perennial

Genus

Dianthera

Family

Acanthaceae

Hardiness Zone

3-10

Mature Height

30 cm to 91 cm

Mature Spread

61 cm

Leaf Color

Green, Dark Green

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

Lavender, Purple

Flower Size

2.54 cm

Bloom Time

Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Planting Time

Spring

Harvest Time

Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall

Native Area

Mexico, Canada

Tags (6)

Common Names (3)