Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lamk. (Umbelliferae)
- Scientific name
- Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Lam.
- Family name
- Araliaceae
- Common name
- Lawn pennywort (English); chidomegusa (Japanese)
- Local name
- Phak-nor
Perennial, prostrate to suberect, polymorphous herb, up to 50 cm longStems slender, stoloniferous, rooting at nodes. Leaves alternate, simple; stipules ovate to obovate, up to 1 × 1.5 mm; petiole up to 6 cm long, not sheathed at base; blade roundish to 5-angular in outline, 0.3–2.5 cm wide, deeply cordate, 3–5 lobed to 3–5 partite, glabrous; segments crenate to serrate. Inflorescence an umbel, 5–15 flowered, solitary, opposite to leaves; peduncle up to 3 cm long; involucral bracts 4–10, very small, around and between flowers. Flowers bisexual, subsessile. Calyx with 5 teeth, minute or obsolete. Petals 5, ovate, 0.7 × 0.5 mm, greenish-white; disk flat, margin elevated. Stamens 5, alternate with the petals. Ovary inferior; styles 2. Fruit a laterally compressed schizocarp, with 2 single-seeded mericarps; mericarp 1–1.3 × 0.8 mm, yellow to brown, glabrous or with short, stiff hairs, sometimes red punctulate.
Commonly found in cool climates on moist soil under partial shade, at elevations above 500 m a.s.l. Propagated by stem cutting, on very humid soil, in constant shade.
Whole plants are eaten fresh as a side dish.
Whole plants are eaten fresh as a side dish.