# American water-willow (*Justicia americana*) The American water-willow is a lovely plant that grows near water. It has long, green leaves and pretty flowers that attract butterflies and bees. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 18 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![American water-willow](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/4867692/medium.jpg) Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Evan Barker, CC0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/4867692) ## Appearance The American water-willow has upright, bamboo-like stems and narrow, lance-shaped leaves resembling those of a willow. Its delicate white to pale lavender flowers feature two lips and distinctive purple markings on the lower petal, making it stand out among other wetland plants. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Acanthaceae - **Genus:** Dianthera ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, it's not a true willow tree, but a flowering herb! - In some places, it’s used in rain gardens because it loves wet feet! - Its Latin name 'Justicia' honors a Scottish gardener, James Justice! - Some fish species, like minnows, hide their eggs among its underwater stems! ## Special abilities - **Underground Explorer:** American water-willow can send out creeping rhizomes that help it spread quickly and form dense mats, holding soil in place. - **Nature's Filter:** Its dense root systems help filter sediments from water, improving water clarity and stabilizing stream banks against erosion. - **Flood Survivor:** This plant can thrive in submerged conditions, thanks to adaptations that allow its roots to tolerate low oxygen during floods. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-75 cm - **Spread:** 30-150 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Late Summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar from its flowers - **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — gathers pollen and nectar - **Shelter:** Ironcolor shiner (*Notropis chalybaeus*) — fish hide among its dense underwater stems ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay on paths and don't touch unknown plants without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American water-willow? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is American water-willow? 15-75 cm ### How wide does American water-willow spread? 30-150 cm ### How big are the flowers on American water-willow? 1-2 cm ### When does American water-willow bloom? Late Spring to Late Summer ### Is American water-willow edible? Yes ### Is American water-willow toxic? None ### What is American water-willow's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Isaac Franklin Plantation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/isaac-franklin-plantation) — Tennessee, US · Historic Site - [Kickapoo State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kickapoo-state-recreation-area) — Illinois, US · State Park - [Manchester](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/manchester) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Marked Tree Lock and Siphons](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marked-tree-lock-and-siphons) — Arkansas, US · Historic Site - [Pennyrile State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pennyrile-state-forest) — Kentucky, US · Forest - [Shackelford County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shackelford-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District [View all places to see American water-willow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-water-willow) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [American water-willow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-water-willow)