Baby jump-up (Mecardonia procumbens, Fl. S.E. U.S.: 1065 (1903))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: (Mill.) Small

Bibliography: Fl. S.E. U.S.: 1065 (1903)

Year: 1903

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Mecardonia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

The Baby Jump-up, known scientifically as Mecardonia procumbens, is a charming plant that brings a splash of yellow to tropical and subtropical landscapes across the Americas. This low-growing perennial is part of the Plantaginaceae family, historically known for its diverse array of flowering plants.

Documented in the Floristic literature of Southeastern United States in 1903 by the esteemed botanist Millspaugh, and later reclassified by Small, Mecardonia procumbens thrives in warm climates, showcasing its adaptability and preference for sunny, well-drained environments.

The plant is easily recognizable by its petite, bright yellow flowers and its sprawling habit, making it an excellent ground cover choice. Its stems are creeping and can root at the nodes, allowing it to spread efficiently across available soil surfaces. The leaves are small, ovate to lanceolate in shape, and display a vibrant green hue that perfectly complements the vivid blooms.

Baby Jump-up is not just a feast for the eyes; it also plays a role in local ecosystems. Being a typical resident of tropical and subtropical America, it provides a habitat and food source for various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, thus contributing to the ecological balance within its native regions.

This plant’s resilient nature allows it to flourish with minimal care, making it a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers aiming to create low-maintenance yet visually appealing green spaces. Whether used in rock gardens, as an ornamental border, or simply left to naturalize an area, Mecardonia procumbens serves as a versatile, enchanting addition to any plant collection.

Common Names

Eng: baby jump-up
En: Baby jump-up, Baby-jump-up, Baby jumpup

Synonyms

• Herpestis procumbens ((Mill.) Urb.)
• Erinus procumbens (Mill.)
• Pagesia procumbens ((Mill.) Pennell)
• Moniera procumbens var. normalis (Kuntze)
• Moniera procumbens ((Mill.) Kuntze)
• Bacopa procumbens ((Mill.) Greenm.)
• Mecardonia vandellioides ((Kunth) Pennell)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Barbara Hesse (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Alex V (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2022 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2022 by Barbara Hesse (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 19, 2020 by Melly Cecilia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2020 by Elisa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2020 by One Pride (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2019 by Clo E (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2021 by vita maulida (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 4, 2015 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 21, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 12, 2015 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 3, 2015 by EOL − Gilberto Ponce Tejeda (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 11, 2015 by EOL − Leticia Soriano Flores (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Aug 29, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172014)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:155661-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.) Small)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth