Herb: Water Pennywort


Latin name: Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides


Synonyms: Hydrocotyle hirsuta, Hydrocotyle latisecta, Hydrocotyle puncticulata, Hydrocotyle rotundifolia


Family: Umbelliferae



Medicinal use of Water Pennywort:

Depurative, febrifuge. Resolves mucus formation. The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of fevers. A paste made from the plant is applied externally to wounds and boils. The plant is decocted and used in the treatment of abscesses, boils, bruises, cirrhosis, colds, coughs, hepatitis, hepatoma, influenza, itch, jaundice, sinusitis and sore throat. It is a Chinese herbal drug for hepatoma.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
10 cm
(4 inches)

Habitat of the herb:

Shady places in lowland areas of C. and S. Japan.

Edible parts of Water Pennywort:

The whole plant is eaten raw or cooked as a potherb. It has a parsley-like aroma.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing it in early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of rooted runners. Probably best done in spring but can be done at any time in the growing season if the plants are kept moist.

Cultivation of Water Pennywort:

Shady places in lowland areas of C. and S. Japan.

Known hazards of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.