Plant · GBIF taxon 5415426
American Water-Willow
Dianthera americanaAlso known as Water-willow, Common Water-willow, American Dianthera
American water-willow forms dense colonies in shallow, flowing waters and lakeshores across eastern North America. Its white to pale violet flowers feature distinct purple mottling on the lower lip, blooming throughout midsummer atop long stalks. Below the surface, an extensive network of rhizomes stabilizes riverbeds, anchors the plant against swift currents, and provides crucial aquatic habitat for invertebrates and young fish.
AquaticFloweringPerennial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Soil nutrients
Predators
- Muskrats
- Waterfowl
- Aquatic insect larvae
ThreatsStream channelization, heavy siltation, water pollution
HabitatsShallow streams, fast-flowing rivers, lake margins
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAcanthaceae
- SpeciesDianthera americana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Wading Caution: Watch your footing around dense underwater rhizome mats in slippery river currents.
- Observation Timing: Visit shallow stream riffles from June to August to catch the delicate orchid-like blossoms.
Frequent Companion (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · cc-by
Image unavailableFrequent Companion 
Close Relative (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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