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Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst.
| Family Name: | Plantaginaceae |
| Common Name: | Smooth Water Hyssop, Herb of Grace, Brahmi |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant, Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Waterside / Marginal), Creeper |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Subtropics and Tropics |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Cryptogenic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial herb with creeping growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Semi-succulent leaves are oblong or oval (1-1.5cm long, 0.3-0.5 cm wide). Unlike some of the other species in the Bacopa genus, crushed leaves are not fragrant. |
| Flowers | White to light blue or purple flowers are bell-shaped with 5 petals and 1 petal is larger than the others. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Uses In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, the plant is used to treat psychosis, epilepsy and mental disorders. In Cuban traditional medicine, it is a treatment for rheumatism. 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
| Landscape Uses | Marsh / Bog, Aquarium / Aquascape, Pond / Lake / River, Riverine, Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Groundcover, Container Planting, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Marsh Garden, Water Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bee-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire, Serrulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Purple, Blue |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Campaulate / Bell-shaped |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32435 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6847 |
| 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. |
