Cornish moneywort (Sibthorpia europaea, Sp. Pl.: 631 (1753))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 631 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sibthorpia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, W. & S. Europe to Trop. African Mts.

Description

Cornish moneywort, also known by its scientific name Sibthorpia europaea, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. Described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this species has piqued the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Native to a diverse range of regions, Cornish moneywort is observed flourishing in the Azores, throughout Western and Southern Europe, and extending to the tropic mountains of Africa.

Characteristically, Cornish moneywort thrives in moist, shaded environments such as woodland floors and banks of streams, where its delicate, trailing stems can spread out to form a lush ground cover. Its small, rounded leaves give it a distinctive, penny-like appearance, which is where the term “moneywort” likely originates. These leaves are often a vibrant green, creating a striking contrast against the earthy tones of the forest floor.

Due to its adaptability, Cornish moneywort can be an excellent plant for gardeners seeking ground cover solutions in shaded areas of their gardens. It requires minimal maintenance once established and can prove beneficial in preventing soil erosion. It is essential, however, to ensure that the plant has access to enough moisture, as it can struggle in overly dry conditions.

Despite its hardy nature, Cornish moneywort remains an underappreciated gem in many landscapes. Its inconspicuous yet charming presence not only adds aesthetic value but also plays a role in the ecosystem by providing coverage and maintaining soil integrity. Given its extensive range and ability to adapt to various humid micro-climates, Cornish moneywort is a subtle yet vital component of the plant biodiversity in its native habitats.

Common Names

Eng: cornish moneywort
Cym: ceinioglys, deilen gron cernyw
En: Cornish Moneywort
Ca: Sibtòrpia
Fr: Sibthorpie d’Europe, Sibthorpie
Cy: Deilen gron Cernyw, Ceinioglys
: Cornish moneywort

Synonyms

• Sibthorpia europaea var. africana (Hook.)
• Sibthorpia europaea var. glabra (Skan)
• Sibthorpia prostrata (Salisb.)
• Linaria pilosa (DC.)
• Elatine pilosa (Moench ex Steud.)
• Cymbalaria pilosa ((Jacq.) Grande)
• Sibthorpia australis (Hutch.)
• Sibthorpia pelia (Beauverd & Topali)

Distribution

• Azores (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 14, 2020 by Coll Alejandro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Françoise MADIC (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 15, 2019 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 30, 2022 by Gabrielle Braz de Moura Cavalcanti de Brito (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 5, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Françoise MADIC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3732653)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:809676-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sibthorpia europaea L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 4