Marsh pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Sp. Pl.: 234 (1753))

Family: Araliaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 234 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hydrocotyle

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, Europe to Medit.

Description

Marsh pennywort is an intriguing perennial plant found in various regions spanning from the Azores to Europe and extending to the Mediterranean. Its botanical name, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, reflects its established scientific classification first documented in 1753.

Belonging to the Araliaceae family, marsh pennywort has adapted to thrive in wet and marshy environments, often populating the edges of ponds, streams, and other moist habitats. Its distinctive round, penny-sized leaves, which have given rise to its common name, are typically vibrant green and connected to the main stem via slender petioles.

This species exhibits a creeping growth habit, forming dense mats that can significantly cover the water surface or the ground in saturated soils. Despite its modest appearance, marsh pennywort plays an essential ecological role. It helps stabilize soil in wetland areas, reducing erosion and providing habitat and food for various aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms.

The plant’s small, inconspicuous flowers bloom in clusters, adding subtle charm to its overall appearance. These flowers eventually give way to seeds, allowing marsh pennywort to propagate and maintain its presence in suitable habitats year after year.

Understanding the marsh pennywort, both in its biological characteristics and ecological importance, highlights the value of preserving natural wetlands where such plants can flourish. It also underscores the intricate beauty and functionality of native flora within these vital ecosystems.

Common Names

Deu: gewöhnlicher wassernabel, wassernabel
Dan: vandnavle
Fra: ecuelle deau, écuelle-d’eau
Nld: gewone waternavel
Eng: marsh pennywort, white-rot
Lav: parasta vairoglape
Swe: spikblad
Cym: amrain, arfeniaint, bwrdd ellyllon, ceiniog y gors, cron y gweunydd, cron y waun, dail y clwy, dail y geiniog, dail y gron lleiaf, dail-ceiniog y gors, llys y geiniog, llysiau’r geiniog, toddaid wen, toddedig wen
Ita: soldinella acquatica
En: Marsh pennywort, White-Rot, Common Pennywort, European Hydrocotyle, Pennywort
Be: Шчыталіснік звычайны
Ca: Hidrocòtile vulgar
Zh: 野天胡荽
Hr: Obični ljepušak
Cs: Pupečník obecný
Da: Vandnavle
Nl: Gewone waternavel, Waternavel
Et: Loim-vesipaunikas
Fi: Viitasammakonputki
Fr: Hydrocotyle vulgaire, Ecuelle deau, Écuelle d’eau, Écuelle-d’eau, Hydrocotyle commun, Herbe aux grenouilles, Herbe aux Patagons, Nombril-de-Vénus aquatique
De: Gewöhnlicher Wassernabel, Wassernabel, Nabelkraut, Venusnabel
He: ספלילה טבורית
Hu: Gázló
Is: Vatnsnafli
Ga: Lus na pingine
It: Soldinella acquatica
Lv: Parasta vairoglape
Lt: Pelkinė raistenė
No: Skjoldblad
Fa: آب بشقاب معمولی
Pl: Wąkrota zwyczajna
Sk: Pupkovník obyčajný
Es: Hidrocótila, Ombligo de Venus que nace en el agua, Picante de ranas, Soldanela acuatica, Sombreret d´aygua, Sombrerillo de agua, Sombrero de agua
Sv: Spikblad
Zh-tw: 野天胡荽
Uk: Щитолисник звичайний
Cy: Dail-ceiniog y gors, Amrain, Arfeniaint, Bwrdd Ellyllon, Ceiniog y Gors, Cron y Gweunydd, Cron y Waun, Dail y Clwy, Dail y Geiniog, Dail y Gron Lleiaf, Llys y Geiniog, Llysiau’r Geiniog, Toddaid Wen, Toddedig Wen

Synonyms

• Hydrocotyle vulgaris var. umbrosa (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Hydrocotyle vulgaris var. microphylla (Lange)
• Hydrocotyle schkuhriana (Rchb.)
• Hydrocotyle peltata (Salisb.)
• Hydrocotyle vulgaris subsp. pleiantha ((Ces.) Arcang.)
• Hydrocotyle pleiantha (Ces.)
• Hydrocotyle vulgaris var. vulgaris (Cham. & Schltdl.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Japan (introduced)
• New York (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 10, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2020 by Colette Dorion (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2018 by Hugo Palma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2017 by Michele (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 14, 2018 by Jorge Prata (cc-by-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.

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 24, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Henri SCORDIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

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

Taken Aug 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 22, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by niels jansen (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Sep 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 22, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3034606)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:843768-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hydrocotyle vulgaris L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

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

Soil nutriments: 2