Family: Araliaceae
Author: Lam.
Bibliography: Encyclopédie Méthodique, Botanique 3: 153 1783
Year: 1789
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Hydrocotyle
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America
Description
Largeleaf Pennywort
Largeleaf pennywort, scientifically known as Hydrocotyle bonariensis, is a fascinating plant notable for its broad, vibrant leaves and association with tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. This plant belongs to the Araliaceae family, a group known for its diverse and often aromatic species.
First documented in detail in the historical botanical work Encyclopédie Méthodique, Botanique in 1783 by the esteemed botanist Lam., Hydrocotyle bonariensis has attracted the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for centuries. The largeleaf pennywort is especially prominent in coastal areas where it thrives in sandy soils, often forming dense mats that help stabilize sand dunes.
The plant is characterized by its broad, round leaves which can grow up to several inches in diameter. The distinctive leaf shape, coupled with a creeping growth habit, makes it easy to identify among other ground-cover plants. The leaves are a bright green, sometimes with a slightly waxy texture, allowing them to stand out vividly in their natural habitats.
Hydrocotyle bonariensis has adapted well to its tropical and subtropical environments, exhibiting considerable tolerance to salt sprays and saline soils, a trait that is especially beneficial in coastal ecosystems. This adaptability ensures that the largeleaf pennywort can cover wide areas, providing critical environmental benefits such as preventing erosion and offering habitat for various small wildlife.
In addition to its ecological importance, largeleaf pennywort has been studied for its potential medicinal properties, a common feature among many members of the Araliaceae family. Although more research is needed to fully understand its benefits, traditional uses have included treatments for skin conditions and other ailments.
In summary, the largeleaf pennywort is a significant and resilient species that contributes to the stability and health of coastal environments in tropical and subtropical America. Its rich botanical history and functional role in its ecosystem underscore the plant’s importance and enduring interest among researchers and conservationists.
Common Names
Eng: largeleaf pennywort
En: Largeleaf pennywort
Fr: Hydrocotyle de Buenos Aires
It: Soldinella di Buenos Aires
Es: Paraquita, Sombrerito de Abad
Synonyms
- Hydrocotyle bonariensis var. texana (J.M.Coult. & Rose)
- Hydrocotyle bonariensis var. multiflora ((Ruiz & Pav.) G.Don)
- Hydrocotyle petiolaris (DC.)
- Hydrocotyle polystachya var. quinqueradiata (Thouars ex A.Rich.)
- Hydrocotyle tribotrys (Ruiz & Pav.)
- Hydrocotyle verticillata var. bonariensis ((Comm. ex Lam.) Urb.)
- Hydrocotyle umbellata subsp. bonariensis ((Comm. ex Lam.) Drude)
- Hydrocotyle pelviformis (Gand.)
- Hydrocotyle bonariensis var. tribotrys ((Ruiz & Pav.) DC.)
- Hydrocotyle polystachya var. triradiata (A.Rich.)
- Hydrocotyle multiflora (Ruiz & Pav.)
- Hydrocotyle verticillata var. triradiata ((A.Rich.) Fernald)
- Hydrocotyle yucatanensis (Millsp.)
- Hydrocotyle umbellata var. bonariensis ((Comm. ex Lam.) Spreng.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Texas (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Angola (introduced)
- Benin (introduced)
- Cabinda (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
- Congo (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Gabon (introduced)
- Ghana (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Ivory Coast (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Liberia (introduced)
- Madagascar (introduced)
- Mauritius (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Nigeria (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- Portugal (introduced)
- Rodrigues (introduced)
- Réunion (introduced)
- Senegal (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Togo (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
Additional Images
© 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.
Flower
Taken Oct 30, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Keerthan Machaiah (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2020 by secilio Nicolás (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 12, 2022 by Afzal Basha (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Keerthan Machaiah (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Rego joaquim (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Danny Rogers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 12, 2022 by Afzal Basha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Sarah Hart (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Sarah Hart (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 12, 2015 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2020 by Eli Small (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 15, 2020 by Muzzachiodi Norberto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Keerthan Machaiah (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Dec 15, 2020 by Muzzachiodi Norberto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2020 by secilio Nicolás (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 23, 2022 by Keerthan Machaiah (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3034611)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:125117-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hydrocotyle bonariensis Comm. ex Lam.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb