771B-3-Hydrocotyle-sibthorpioides-fl-2-Peter-Kinchington.jpg

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides

Shining Pennywort

Creeping hairless perennial herb, rooting at leaf nodes, occasionally forming mats.

Additional information

  • FamilyAraliaceae (revised from Apiaceae)
  • StoreyLower storey
  • SizeProstrate x 0.6-2 m
  • Plant groupingHerbs & Groundcovers <1m
  • LeavesRound to kidney-shaped erect shiny light green leaves 5-33 mm across with scalloped edges and 3-7 lobes; stalk 3-5.5 cm long, with frill of hairs just below leaf.
  • Flower colourYellow-white tinged purple
  • Flowering timeOctober to March
  • FlowersTight round cluster 2-5 mm wide of 10-12 tiny almost stalkless flowers on a short stalk.
  • Bird attractingNo
  • Butterfly attractingNo
  • Frog habitatYes
  • Growing conditionsMoist to wet soils in or along margins of watercourses or moist areas in eucalypt forests. Partial shade.
  • Garden useWill spread readily in moist areas including lawns, providing a ground cover.
  • Commercially availableIndigenous nursery
  • Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
  • Related speciesDiffers from the similar Hydrocotyle hirta and Hydrocotyle algida with its almost hairless parts except for the fringe of long hairs at the top of the leaf stalk.
Photographer/s: 1, 3, Peter Kinchington ©; 2, 4, 5, 6 Marilyn Bull ©

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