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Hydrocotyle vulgaris - L.

Common Name Pennywort
Family Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Bogs, fens and marshes, usually on acid soils[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to N. Africa, Greece and the Caspian Sea.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Hydrocotyle vulgaris Pennywort


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Hydrocotyle_vulgaris0.jpg
Hydrocotyle vulgaris Pennywort

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Hydrocotyle vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked. A strong carroty taste[183], they cannot be eaten in quantity[144].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a permanently moist position in sun or light shade[200]. Plants can be very invasive, though they are fairly easy to control by pulling out the rooted stems[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing it in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed it would probably be worthwhile sowing the seed outdoors in situ in the spring. Division of rooted runners. Probably best done in spring but can be done at any time in the growing season if the plants are kept moist.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Hydrocotyle sibthorpioidesWater Pennywort, Lawn marshpennywortPerennial0.1 5-9  LMHSNMWe12 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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Subject : Hydrocotyle vulgaris  
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