Bacopa crenata

Bacopa crenata, the waterhyssop, brahmi, or moneywort, is a perennial or annual medicinal herb indigenous to tropical Africa and Madagascar.[1]

Bacopa crenata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Bacopa
Species:
B. crenata
Binomial name
Bacopa crenata
(P.Beauv.) Hepper
Synonyms[1]
  • Bacopa calycina (Benth.) Engl. ex De Wild.
  • Erinus africanus Pers.
  • Herpestis calycina Pennell
  • Herpestis crenata P. Beauv
  • Herpestis thonnginii Benth.
  • Moniera calycina (Benth.) Hiern

Description

Bacopa crenata is a non-aromatic herb, growing up to 40 cm (16 in) in height. Its leaves are opposite, oblong, slightly serrated on their margin, and 1.4–1.5 cm (0.55–0.59 in) thick. Its leaves are also lanceolate to ovate and are arranged oppositely (opposite deccusate) on the stem. Its flowers are small, actinomorphic, and range from white to blue or purple, with four to five petals. Its ability to grow in water makes it a popular aquarium plant.[2]

Habitat and ecology

Bacopa crenata grows in marshy areas throughout West Africa, Angola, Madagascar, Kenya, and Tanzania.[3]

Uses

The leaves of Bacopa crenata are used in Africa to treat conjunctivitus and headaches, and to heal wounds.[4]

References
  1. Umberto Quattrocchi (2016). CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology (reprint ed.). CRC Press. p. 514. ISBN 9781482250640.
  2. Robert Allgayer (2006). Plantes d'aquarium. Editions Artemis. ISBN 9782844165176.
  3. Rüdiger Riehl (1998). Aquarium Atlas. 3. Steven Simpson Books. p. 22. ISBN 9783882440539.
  4. Maurice M. Iwu (2014). Handbook of African Medicinal Plants (illustrated, second ed.). CRC Press. p. 84. ISBN 9781466571976.
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