Alphabetical Plant Listing

Aeschynomene fluitans (Botswana Wonder)

Botswana Wonder, Water Pea, Golden Botswana, Giant Sensitive Plant, Large Leafed Sensitive Plant


Aeschynomene fluitans (Botswana Wonder) is an aquatic perennial forming a dense, floating mat of hollow to spongy stems that spread rapidly over the water surface. The stems are clothed with pinnately compound, blue-green leaves that close up when lightly touched. The leaves have small oblong leaflets, 16-26 pairs per pinna, arranged in opposite pairs. Dainty, yellow flowers, resembling sweet peas, appear over the foliage from summer to fall. They give way to flat pods, 1-2 in. long (2-5 cm). Native to Southern Africa, Botswana Wonder occurs naturally in slow-moving rivers, ponds, and floodplains. Botswana Wonder is an attractive and unusual accent plant for the water garden.

  • Grows up to 4-10 in. tall (10-25 cm) and 3-8 ft. wide (90-240 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade. Allow it to float freely, or place it between rocks or in an aquatic basket to keep it from moving around.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Propagated by seeds and cuttings.
  • Monitor the growth and trim periodically as necessary.
  • Overwinter indoors in an aquarium.
  • Native to Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia).

Buy Aeschynomene fluitans (Botswana Wonder)

Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 4" – 10" (10cm – 25cm)
Spread 3' – 8' (90cm – 240cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Average
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens

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Cultivar413, Flickr

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Height 4" – 10" (10cm – 25cm)
Spread 3' – 8' (90cm – 240cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Average
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Wet Soil
Garden Uses Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens

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