Hydrocotyle vulgaris Care Guide
Hydrocotyle vulgaris is a European marsh pennywort with rounded peltate leaves on long petioles, suited to coldwater aquariums and pond margins.
Overview
Hydrocotyle vulgaris, the marsh or common pennywort, is a creeping perennial of the family Araliaceae described by Linnaeus. Its rounded, shield-shaped (peltate) leaves, up to about 4 cm across, attach to the petiole in the middle of the leaf underside, giving an umbrella-like form. The plant stays low, around 5-20 cm tall, with creeping stems up to a metre long.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araliaceae
- Genus: Hydrocotyle
- Scientific name: Hydrocotyle vulgaris
- Order: Apiales
- Authority: Linnaeus
Habitat
The species is native to Europe (and parts of North Africa, the Caucasus and the Levant), where it grows in wet places such as fens, swamps, bogs and marshes. In Britain it is the only native Hydrocotyle. Its temperate, wetland origin suits coldwater and pond use.
Tank requirements
- Water type: freshwater
- Temperature: 12-24 °C (54-75 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.8
- GH: 4-18 °dGH
- Lighting: medium
- CO2 injection: not required
- Placement: midground; height up to ~20 cm
Growth and propagation
Hydrocotyle vulgaris spreads by runners and propagates mainly vegetatively rather than by its tiny, inconspicuous summer flowers. It grows readily both submersed and emersed, making it useful at pond margins and in open-top setups. Periodic trimming of runners, roughly every two weeks, keeps it contained.
Notes
Its conservation status varies by region: the species is protected under French legislation and considered critically endangered in Croatia, even though it is widespread elsewhere in Europe.