# 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. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![largeleaf pennywort](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hydrocotyle_bonariensis.jpg&width=800) Photo: Franz Xaver, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydrocotyle_bonariensis.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Apiales - **Family:** Araliaceae - **Genus:** Hydrocotyle ## 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 - **Water Wanderer:** Largeleaf pennywort can grow rooted in wet soil or float freely on water, helping it colonize diverse aquatic habitats. - **Rapid Reacher:** Largeleaf pennywort has creeping stems (stolons) that help it quickly spread out and cover large areas of ground. - **Erosion Protector:** 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. - **Shelter:** Mosquitofish (*Gambusia affinis*) — Small fish hide among its dense aquatic growth. - **Shelter:** Bloodworm midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Larvae find refuge among its roots. ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching plants, just to be safe! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify largeleaf pennywort? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is largeleaf pennywort? 5-20 cm ### How wide does largeleaf pennywort spread? 30-100 cm ### How big are the flowers on largeleaf pennywort? 0.1-0.2 cm ### When does largeleaf pennywort bloom? Spring_to_fall ### Is largeleaf pennywort edible? Yes ### Is largeleaf pennywort toxic? None ### What is largeleaf pennywort's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Moultrieville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/moultrieville-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [St. Catherines Island](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-catherines-island) — Georgia, US · Natural Landmark - [Sullivan's Island Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sullivans-island-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Sandsprit Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sandsprit-park) — Florida, US · Park [View all places to see largeleaf pennywort](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/largeleaf-pennywort) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Largeleaf Pennywort: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largeleaf-pennywort)