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] | |
| |
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
- 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.
- Robert Allgayer (2006). Plantes d'aquarium. Editions Artemis. ISBN 9782844165176.
- Rüdiger Riehl (1998). Aquarium Atlas. Vol. 3. Steven Simpson Books. p. 22. ISBN 9783882440539.
- Maurice M. Iwu (2014). Handbook of African Medicinal Plants (illustrated, second ed.). CRC Press. p. 84. ISBN 9781466571976.