Categories: Apiaceae

Marsh pennywort (Centella asiatica, C.F.P.von Martius & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Bras. 11(1): 287 (1879))

Family: Apiaceae

Author: (L.) Urb.

Bibliography: C.F.P.von Martius & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Bras. 11(1): 287 (1879)

Year: 1879

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Centella

Vegetable: False

Observations: Caucasus, Trop. & Subtrop. Old World to New Zealand and W. Pacific

Description

Marsh pennywort, scientifically known as Centella asiatica, is a versatile perennial plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. Noted for its distinctive round, bright green leaves that resemble small, verdant coins, this plant thrives in a variety of moist habitats including marshes, wetlands, and riverbanks.

Centella asiatica has a broad native range extending from the Caucasus across tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, reaching as far as New Zealand and the Western Pacific. It is highly adaptable and has been found in many different environments within this extensive range, showcasing its resilience and versatility.

The plant has been acknowledged since the late 19th century, as referenced in the work “Fl. Bras. 11(1): 287 (1879)” by C.F.P.von Martius and other subsequent authors. This historical recognition underscores its long-standing significance in both botanical studies and traditional practices.

Marsh pennywort is renowned not only for its ecological adaptability but also for its longstanding use in traditional medicine. In many cultures, particularly within its native range, it is valued for its purported health benefits, including wound healing, cognitive enhancement, and skin care.

This species holds both botanical interest and practical applications, making it a significant plant within the Apiaceae family worthy of study and conservation.

Common Names

Eng: asiatic pennywort, indian pennywort, spadeleaf, gotu kola, marsh pennywort, pennyweed, sheeprot, thankuni, centella, ovate-leaved marsh pennywort
Deu: asiatisches sumpfpfennigkraut
Spa: hierba de clavo, sombrerito
Swe: sallatsspikblad
Fra: écuelle d’eau
Tha: bua bok, phak nok
Mri: gotu cola
Mya: hkwa-rwak-ping, myin-khwa
En: Marsh pennywort, Sheeprot, Thankuni, Pennyweed, Gotu kola, Asiatic pennywort, Indian pennywort, Spadeleaf, Asiatic Spadeleaf, Centella, Gâgân, Piduh, ဂတိုပ်ကၠောအ်၊ တၞံ, Ovate-leaved marsh pennywort, Asian Coinleaf, Indian penny-wort, Pohekula, Ji xue cao, Sheep-rot
Ar: كينتيللا أسياتيكا
As: বৰ-মানিমুনি
Az: Asiya sentellası
Bn: থানকুনি
Bg: Готу кола
My: မြင်းခွာပင်, Hkwa-rwak-ping, Myin-khwa
Ca: Hidrocotilè
Zh: Ji xue cao, 崩大碗, 雷公根
Cs: Pupečník asijský
Nl: Pegagan
Fi: Rohtosammakonputki
Fr: Écuelle d’eau, Cochléaria, Violette marron, Coq claria, Coq lariat, Coq l’aria, Cocariat, Cocléria, Cochléria, Coclaria, Conclellia, Herbe boileau, Coquelariat
De: Asiatisches Sumpfpfennigkraut, Indischer Wassernabel
Hi: मण्डूकपर्णी
Hu: Ázsiai gázló
Id: Pegagan
Ja: Tsubo-kusa
Jv: Pegagan
Kn: ಒಂದೆಲಗ
Ko: 병풀
Ms: Pokok Pegaga
Ml: മുത്തിൾ
Mi: Gotu Cola
Ne: घोडताप्रे
Or: ଥାଲକୁଡ଼ି
Fa: آب‌قاشقی
Pl: Wąkrotka azjatycka
Pt: Centela
Ru: Центелла азиатская
Si: ගොටුකොල
Sk: Pupočník ázijský
Es: Hierba de clavo, Sombrerito
Su: Antanan
Sv: Sallatsspikblad
Zh-tw: 雷公根
Ta: வல்லாரை
Te: సరస్వతీ ఆకు
Th: บัวบก, Bua bok, Phak nok
To: Tono
Zh-hant: 崩大碗
Vi: Rau má

Synonyms

Centella cordifolia ((Hook.f.) Nannf.)
Hydrocotyle sylvicola (Cordem.)
Hydrocotyle ficarioides (Lam.)
Hydrocotyle ficarifolia (Stokes)
Centella asiatica var. crispata ((Maxim.) Y.Yabe)
Hydrocotyle asiatica var. crispata (Maxim.)
Hydrocotyle dentata (A.Rich.)
Centella asiatica f. crispata ((Maxim.) H.Hara)
Centella asiatica var. boninensis ((Nakai ex Tuyama) H.Hara)
Centella boninensis (Nakai ex Tuyama)
Hydrocotyle brasiliensis (Scheidw.)
Hydrocotyle brevipedata (St.-Lag.)
Hydrocotyle wightiana (Wall.)
Centella hirtella (Nannf.)
Hydrocotyle inaequipes (DC.)
Hydrocotyle hebecarpa (DC.)
Hydrocotyle asiatica var. monantha (F.Muell.)
Hydrocotyle lurida (Hance)
Hydrocotyle lunata (Lam.)
Glyceria asiatica (Nutt.)
Hydrocotyle indivisa (Banks & Sol. ex Hook.f.)
Hydrocotyle brevipes (DC.)
Hydrocotyle thunbergiana (Spreng.)
Centella asiatica var. cristata (Makino)
Hydrocotyle nummularioides (A.Rich.)
Hydrocotyle sarmentosa (Salisb.)
Chondrocarpus triflorus (Nutt.)
Centella ulugurensis ((Engl.) Domin)
Centella uniflora ((Colenso) Nannf.)
Hydrocotyle abbreviata (A.Rich.)
Hydrocotyle abyssinica (Gand.)
Hydrocotyle ulugurensis (Engl.)
Chondrocarpus asiaticus (Nutt.)
Hydrocotyle artensis (Montrouz.)
Trisanthus cochinchinensis (Lour.)
Hydrocotyle uniflora (Colenso)

Distribution

Andaman Is. (native)
Angola (native)
Assam (native)
Bangladesh (native)
Belize (native)
Benin (native)
Borneo (native)
Botswana (native)
Burkina (native)
Burundi (native)
Cabinda (native)
Cambodia (native)
Cameroon (native)
Cape Provinces (native)
Cape Verde (native)
Caprivi Strip (native)
Caroline Is. (native)
Central African Repu (native)
Chad (native)
Chatham Is. (native)
China North-Central (native)
China South-Central (native)
China Southeast (native)
Comoros (native)
Congo (native)
East Himalaya (native)
Equatorial Guinea (native)
Eritrea (native)
Ethiopia (native)
Fiji (native)
Free State (native)
Gabon (native)
Gambia (native)
Ghana (native)
Guinea (native)
Guinea-Bissau (native)
Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
India (native)
Iran (native)
Ivory Coast (native)
Japan (native)
Jawa (native)
Kenya (native)
Korea (native)
KwaZulu-Natal (native)
Laos (native)
Lesotho (native)
Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
Liberia (native)
Madagascar (native)
Malawi (native)
Malaya (native)
Mali (native)
Maluku (native)
Marianas (native)
Marshall Is. (native)
Mauritania (native)
Mauritius (native)
Mozambique (native)
Myanmar (native)
Namibia (native)
Nansei-shoto (native)
Nepal (native)
New Caledonia (native)
New Guinea (native)
New South Wales (native)
New Zealand North (native)
New Zealand South (native)
Nicobar Is. (native)
Niger (native)
Nigeria (native)
Northern Provinces (native)
Ogasawara-shoto (native)
Pakistan (native)
Philippines (native)
Queensland (native)
Rodrigues (native)
Rwanda (native)
Réunion (native)
Samoa (native)
Saudi Arabia (native)
Senegal (native)
Sierra Leone (native)
Socotra (native)
Solomon Is. (native)
Somalia (native)
Sri Lanka (native)
Sudan (native)
Sulawesi (native)
Sumatera (native)
Swaziland (native)
Taiwan (native)
Tanzania (native)
Thailand (native)
Togo (native)
Tonga (native)
Transcaucasus (native)
Uganda (native)
Vietnam (native)
Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
West Himalaya (native)
Yemen (native)
Zambia (native)
Zaïre (native)
Zimbabwe (native)
Ascension (introduced)
Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
Colombia (introduced)
Cook Is. (introduced)
Florida (introduced)
Hawaii (introduced)
Marquesas (introduced)
Niue (introduced)
Norfolk Is. (introduced)
Oregon (introduced)
Seychelles (introduced)
Society Is. (introduced)
St.Helena (introduced)
Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
Tubuai Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Britt Lao (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by まことはやし (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2021 by fadhzly sahrim (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Asof Shonai (cc-by-sa)