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Blue Mud Plantain

Heteranthera limosa

Found in shallow water and muddy shores of rivers, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, wet ditches, agricultural fields, other wet areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

11
Modest

Native to Mississippi. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 88%

Height
2–6 inches
Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Wet to standing water
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Annual
Bloom
June to October

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 20 Mississippi counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 3

Streams, rivers and their banks

Flowing water and its banks, bars and rocky shoals.

Ponds, lakes and their shores

Still water and its edges: ponds, lakes, millponds and reservoirs.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including MS
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
3BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Heteranthera

  • Anas acutaNorthern Pintail
  • Dendrocygna autumnalisBlack-bellied Whistling-Duck
  • Dendrocygna bicolorFulvous Whistling-Duck
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Pontederiaceae
Flower color
White or blue

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Mississippi rankSNR
Global rankNot available
MS statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source

In your garden

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How to check your spot

Sources