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.
Traditional medicinal use
Functionality
Functional constituents
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.
Leaves