Ludwigia peruviana serves as a larval host for Eumorpha fasciatus the Banded Sphinx Moth.

L. peruviana is a wetland species that has been introduced into North America and elsewhere as an ornamental for its bright yellow and showy flowers. Once established, however, it can form dense, stands along shorelines and banks. It then begins to sprawl out into the water and can clog waterways, damage structures and dominate native vegetation.

This perennial grows to 3 and 4 metres in wet areas. It reproduces by seed. Stems are brownish green, heavily branched, and hairy when young. The leaves are alternate, rarely opposite, ovate, 5 to 10cm long, 1 to 3cm wide, and hairy. The solitary flowers are bright yellow and quite showy and bisexual, 2 to 4cm in diameter, but the 4 (-5) petals last for only a day. There are 4 pale green sepals that are typically 8 to 12mm long, and petals 1 to 3cm long and wide.

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