Bacopa

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Genus of aquatic plants

title: "Bacopa" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["plantaginaceae", "plantaginaceae-genera", "freshwater-plants", "pantropical-flora", "taxa-named-by-jean-baptiste-christophore-fusée-aublet"] description: "Genus of aquatic plants" topic_path: "general/plantaginaceae" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacopa" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Genus of aquatic plants ::

::callout[type=note] the plant genus ::

|image =Starr 070815-8055 Bacopa monnieri.jpg |image_caption = Bacopa monnieri |taxon = Bacopa |authority = Aubl. (1775), nom. cons. |subdivision_ranks = Species |subdivision = 60; see text |subdivision_ref = |synonyms =

  • Allocalyx Cordem. (1895)
  • Anisocalyx Hance (1853)
  • Blanckia Neck. (1790), opus utique oppr.
  • Brami Adans. (1763)
  • Bramia Lam. (1785)
  • Caconapea Cham. in Linnaea 8: 28 (1833)
  • Calytriplex Ruiz & Pav. (1794)
  • Cardiolophus Griff. (1836)
  • Conobea Aubl. (1775)
  • Habershamia Raf. (1825)
  • Heptas Meisn. (1840)
  • Herpestis Gaertn. (1807)
  • Hydranthelium Kunth (1825)
  • Hydropyxis Raf. in Fl. Ludov.: 94 (1817)
  • Hydrotrida Willd. ex Britton & A.Br. (1913)
  • Macuillamia Raf. (1825)
  • Moniera P.Browne (1756), nom. rej.
  • Maeviella Rossow (1983-1985 publ. 1985)
  • Mella Vand. (1788)
  • Monocardia Pennell (1919 publ. 1920)
  • Naiadothrix Pennell (1920)
  • Quinquelobus Benj. (1847)
  • Ranapalus Kellogg (1877)
  • Ranaria Cham. (1833)
  • Septas Lour. (1790), nom. illeg.
  • Septilia Raf. (1838)
  • Silvinula Pennell (1920)
  • Sinobacopa D.Y.Hong (1987)
  • Sphaerotheca Cham. & Schltdl. (1827) |synonyms_ref =

Bacopa is a genus of 60 aquatic plants belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. It is commonly known as waterhyssop (or water hyssop, though this is more misleading as Bacopa is not very closely related to hyssop but simply has a somewhat similar appearance).

Description

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Bacopa_monnieri_W_IMG_1612.jpg" caption="''[[Bacopa monnieri]]'' in [[Hyderabad]], India"] ::

They are annual or perennial, with decumbent or erect stems. The leaves are opposite or whorled, and sessile. The leaf blade is regular, round to linear, and the venation is palmate or pinnate. Its stems are hairy or smooth. The flowers are produced solitary or in pairs from leaf axils, usually radially symmetrical, with five sepals and five petals, and they are usually white, blue, or purple. Dispersal and propagation is by seeds and stem fragments. Crushed leaves have a distinctive 'lemon' scent. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Bacopa_myriophylloides.jpg" caption="''[[Bacopa myriophylloides]]''"] ::

Habitat and range

Bacopa species are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly the Americas. A few are regarded as weeds and excess stock should not be dumped in warmer regions. Most grow in moist amphibious conditions, though some like B. myriophylloides seem to be wholly aquatic.

Uses

Bacopa monnieri is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Preliminary clinical research found that the herb may improve cognition.

Cultivation

Some of these species are commonly used in freshwater aquariums and ponds in warmer climates. Most are easy to grow and will tolerate a wide range of conditions. B. monnieri will tolerate brackish water up to 15* *ppt, due to specialized adaptations that enable it to survive in saline environments. Algal infestation can be a problem in brighter lighting conditions.

Species

60 species are accepted.

References

References

  1. (2007-10-05). "Genus: ''Bacopa'' Aubl.". United States Department of Agriculture.
  2. [https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:331379-2 ''Bacopa'' Aubl.] ''[[Plants of the World Online]]''. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  3. (2013). "Neuropharmacological review of the nootropic herb Bacopa monnieri". Rejuvenation Research.
  4. (2014). "Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of ''Bacopa monnieri'' extract.". Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
  5. (5 February 2013). "Cognitive effects of two nutraceuticals Ginseng and Bacopa benchmarked against modafinil: a review and comparison of effect sizes". British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
  6. (1999). "Proline Accumulation, Protein Pattern and Photosynthesis in Bacopa Monniera Regenerants Grown under Na ''Cl'' Stress". Biologia Plantarum.
  7. (31 December 2018). "Histological and Morphological Responses of Bacopa Monnieri (L.) Pennell in Glycophytic and Halophytic Conditions | International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research".
  8. Native Plants Hawaii. "Bacopa monnieri".
  9. "GRIN Species Records of ''Bacopa''". United States Department of Agriculture.
  10. {{ITIS

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plantaginaceaeplantaginaceae-generafreshwater-plantspantropical-florataxa-named-by-jean-baptiste-christophore-fusée-aublet