Hydrocotyle umbellata

marsh penny-wort

Araliaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

0.5 ft

Life Span:

short-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Groundcover in moist areas. Can be mowed.

Considerations:

Often considered a pest in over-watered lawns. If the lawn is replaced by the "pest" the effect can be attractive.

Light:

Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Stays wet ---- to ---- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Attracts bees.  A study at the Archbold Biological Station identified the following families of bees using this species:







  • Halictidae:  Halictus poeyi


  • Pompilidae:  Episyron conterminus posterus


  • Sphecidae:  Cerceris blakei, Ectemnius rufipes ais, Epinysson mellipes, Hoplisoides denticulatus denticulatus, Oxybelus emarginatus, Tachysphex apicalis, T. similis


  • Vespidae:  Leptochilus alcolhuus, Parancistrocerus salcularis rufulus






Archbold Biological Station as cited in the Coastal Plants Wiki.

Native Habitats:

Cutthroat seep, wet prairie, dome swamp. Somestimes in floating mats.