Scientific Family
Apiaceae
Synonyms
Hydrocotyle racemosa
Other common names
water-pennywort
whorled marshpennywort
whorled pennyroyal
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Similar species
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Height
2 to 12 inches
Riparian
Yes
Slender creeping stolons rooting at nodes, often growing in water but emerging above the water surface; smooth ovary, fruit and foliage.
Stemmed leaves, stems attached to centers of the leaves instead of leaf ends, flower stalks with a few, well-separated whorls of tiny flowers. H. ranunculoides is similar but leaves are not stemmed and flowers are in tiny clusters at stem tips.
Habitat
Found in moist ground in slow-moving or still water along streamsides, pond margins, and other marshy areas.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
0
High elevation
5000
Flower Characteristics
Tiny sub-sessile (very short stemmed) flowers in a few well-separated whorls (2 to several) of rarely more than 7 flowers, along 3/4 to 7 inches long stems ascending directly from stolons.
Flower color
Greenish-white
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaf 1/4 to 2-1/2 inches wide, round, 7 to 14 veined and 8 to 13 shallowly lobed or notched margins; stipules present; slender erect leaf stalks 2 to 10 inches long attached at center of leaf, emerging directly from stolons.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Flattened, ribbed capsules ovoid to ellipsoid; <1/8 inch long and <1/4 inch wide.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Green