[7] It is native to central and eastern North America, growing in marshes, wet meadows, and swamps.

It has yellow, four-petaled flowers and brown seed pods that are shaped like a cube.

Ludwigia alternifolia grows 2–3 feet (61–91 cm) tall on reddish-tinged stems.

[9] The mature fruits are brown, cubic capsules with rigid sides, about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) in length.

[8] The genus name Ludwiga is for the 18th century German botanist, Christian Gottlieb Ludwig.