Hydrocotyle verticillata

Starr 980601-1501 Hydrocotyle verticillata

Hydrocotyle verticillata

File:Hydrocotyle verticillata.jpg

Hydrocotyle verticillata

Hydrocotyle verticillata, commonly known as whorled pennywort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae. It is native to the Americas, where it can be found in a variety of wet habitats, including marshes, swamps, and the edges of ponds and streams.

Description

Hydrocotyle verticillata is a perennial herb that grows in a creeping manner. The plant has slender, creeping stems that root at the nodes. The leaves are peltate, meaning the leaf stalk attaches to the center of the leaf blade, and they are arranged in a whorled pattern around the stem. The leaves are typically round to kidney-shaped with scalloped edges.

The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are greenish-white in color. These flowers are arranged in simple umbels. The fruit is a small schizocarp that splits into two mericarps when mature.

Habitat and Distribution

Hydrocotyle verticillata is found in a wide range of wetland habitats. It thrives in areas with standing or slow-moving water and can often be found in marshes, swamps, and along the edges of ponds and streams. The species is native to the Americas, with a range extending from the southern United States through Central America and into South America.

Uses

Hydrocotyle verticillata is sometimes used in aquariums and water gardens due to its attractive foliage and ability to grow in submerged conditions. It is also studied for its potential medicinal properties, although more research is needed in this area.

Cultivation

This plant is relatively easy to cultivate in wet conditions. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can be grown in shallow water or moist soil. It can spread rapidly under favorable conditions, making it a good ground cover for wet areas.

Related Species

Hydrocotyle verticillata is part of the genus Hydrocotyle, which includes several other species of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants. Some related species include:

• Hydrocotyle umbellata
• Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
• Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides

See Also

• Apiaceae
• Aquatic plants
• Wetland plants