Bacopa monnieri
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- buh-KOH-puh mon-ee-AIR-ee
- Description
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Bacopa monnieri, or Water Hyssop, is a native perennial tropical wildflower typically found in moist wet places such as freshwater tidal marshes, riparian areas, streams, pools, and muddy shores. It is a coastal and lower Coastal Plain species, ranging from southeastern Virgina south to southern Florida and west to Texas. This plant is heat tolerant, but not drought tolerant at all. This plant is often used in hanging baskets and in aquariums and is sometimes sold for medicinal purposes.
The small succulent leaves are evergreen and the small white flowers have a long blooming season. However, unlike other species of Bacopa, the leaves are not fragrent when crushed. The plant will grow in moist to wet soils, along streams and ponds or in a bog garden in full sun to partial shade. Water Hyssop does well planted in bogs,water gardens and in hanging baskets or draping over the edge of a pot. It will also grow and spread rapidly in moist soil or shallow water as a ground cover.
An important food source for the larvae of the White peacock (Anartia jatrophae) butterfly.
Diseases, insect pests, and other plant problems:
No known diseases or pest problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Bacopa
- Species:
- monnieri
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in Ayurvedic medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and subtropical Americas, India, Southeast Asia
- Distribution:
- AL , AZ , CA , FL , GA , HI , LA , MD , MS , NC , OK , SC , TX , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant to White Peacock Butterfly. Moderately deer resistant.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Edible leaves, eaten raw in mixed salads or cooked as a vegetable. Not poisonous, but can cause nausea, increased intestinal motility, and gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are available June-November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small flowers, 2/3 of an inch across, bloom April until frost. They are bell-shaped, white with pinkish or blue tinges in color and occur in the axil of the leaves.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Small, thick, succulent leaves, 1/2 inch long and 1/4 inch wide, are oblong to oval, simple and opposite with entire margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Salt
- Wet Soil
