largeleaf pennywort

Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Largeleaf pennywort is a fun plant with big, round leaves that float on water. It loves to grow in wet places and can be found in many gardens and ponds.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The largeleaf pennywort has bright green, circular leaves that are often described as coin-shaped, with the stem attached to the center. These smooth, glossy leaves can float on water or grow upright in moist soil, giving it a distinct, low-growing mat-like appearance.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderApialesFamilyAraliaceaeGenusHydrocotyle

largeleaf pennywort

Interesting facts

Believe it or not, its name means 'water coin' because of its shape!

It helps shoreline ecosystems by providing shelter for small aquatic creatures!

Its round leaves float like tiny green lily pads!

This plant can grow happily both on land and completely underwater!

Special abilities

Largeleaf pennywort can grow rooted in wet soil or float freely on water, helping it colonize diverse aquatic habitats.

Largeleaf pennywort has creeping stems (stolons) that help it quickly spread out and cover large areas of ground.

Largeleaf pennywort forms dense mats of roots and leaves that help stabilize soil and prevent it from washing away.

Measurements & details

Height: 5-20 cm
Spread: 30-100 cm
Flower Size: 0.1-0.2 cm
Bloom Season: Spring_to_fall
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

Mallard duck

Anas platyrhynchos

Waterfowl graze on its leaves and stems.

eaten by

Great pond snail

Lymnaea stagnalis

Aquatic snails often graze on its submerged parts.

shelters

Mosquitofish

Gambusia affinis

Small fish hide among its dense aquatic growth.

shelters

Bloodworm midge

Chironomus plumosus

Larvae find refuge among its roots.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.