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Centella asiatica
Family Name: | Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) |
Synonyms: | Hydrocotyle asiatica |
Common Name: | Spadeleaf, Indian Pennywort, Gotu kola, 积雪草, 崩大碗 |
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Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Waterside / Marginal) |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Maximum Height | 0.2 m |
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | India, China, Japan, Australia |
Native Habitat | Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River) |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Perennial herb with a creeping growth habit. |
Foliage | Bean-shaped leaves have a crenate leaf margin (leaf edge with rounded teeth). |
Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Fruit & Vegetable;Herb and Spice) Medicinal ( Scientific Evidence of Medicinal Properties In pre-clinical trials, Indian Pennywort showed pain-relieving (Saha et al., 2013), anti-cancer (Hamid et al., 2016), anti-diabetic (Emran et al., 2015), anti-inflammation (Saha et al., 2013), antioxidant (Zhao et al., 2014) and cholesterol-lowering properties (Emran et al., 2015) and anti-malarial properties (Mavondo et al., 2016) in animals. Traditional Medicinal Uses Research supports the traditional use of Indian Pennywort to treat wounds, burns, sores and skin diseases, such as leprosy. Other traditional uses include using it to improve appetite and digestion. It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. ) |
Landscaping Features
Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
Water Preference | Lots of Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Maintenance Requirements | Low |
Propagation Method | Seed, Stolon / Runner |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Orbicular / Round, Reniform) |
Foliar Venation | Palmate |
Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
Foliar Base | Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | White |
Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Location | Axillary |
Flower Size - Remarks | Less than 3mm |
Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Light Purple, Light Pink |
References
References | Emran, T.B., Dutta, M., Uddin, M.M.N, Nath, A.K. & Uddin, M.Z. (2015). Antidiabetic potential of the leaf extract of Centella asiatica in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Jahangirnagar University Journal of Biological Science 4(1): 51–59. Gohil K.J., Patel J.A., Gajjar A.K. & Maity, T.K. (2010). Pharmacological review on Centella asiatica: A potential herbal cure-all. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 72(5): 546–556. Hamid, I.S., Widjaja, N.M.R. & Damayanti, R. (2016). Anticancer activity of Centella asiatica leaves extract in benzo(a)pyrene-induced mice. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research 8(1): 80–84. Saha, S., Guria, T., Singha, T. & Maity, T.K. (2013). Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Chloroform and Methanol Extracts of Centella asiatica Linn. ISRN Pharmacology Article ID 789613 Zhao, Y., Shu, P., Zhang, Y.Z., Lin, L.M., Zhou, H.H., Xu, Z.T., Suo, D.Q., Xie, A.Z. & Jin, X. (2014). Effect of Centella asiatica on oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic animal models Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevityy Article ID 154295.Zheng, H.M., Choi, M.J., Kim, J.M., Lee, K.W., Park, Y.H. & Lee, D.H. (2016). In vitro and in vivo Anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of Centella asiatica leaf extract. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science 21(3): 197–201. |
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Master ID | 30961 |
Species ID | 5347 |
Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |