Herb Of Grace

(Bacopa monnieri)

Herb Of Grace (Bacopa monnieri)

Forest & Kim Starr

CC BY 3.0

Image By: Forest & Kim Starr

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Forest & Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0 | Uploader: BotMultichill | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Starr_010818-0007_Bacopa_monnieri.jpg | Notes: ==Image description== {{Information| |Description=Banksia baxteri, banksia garden Kings park WA |Source=Own work, Digital Photograph |Date=8th January 2007 |Author=Gnangarra |Permission=GFDL with CC-by-2.5 | }} ==Licensing== {{Gnangarralicense}} [[c

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Bacopa monnieri, commonly known as Herb Of Grace or Brahmi, is an evergreen perennial herb that thrives in a variety of wetland habitats including marshes, wetlands, and muddy shores, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is native to the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The plant typically grows to a height of 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) and spreads out to cover the ground. Its leaves are succulent, oblong, and 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) thick, with an oblanceolate shape and arranged oppositely on the stem. The flowers are small, actinomorphic, and white, with four to five petals, blooming throughout the year in warmer climates. Although not particularly showy, the flowers add a delicate charm to the plant’s appearance.

Bacopa monnieri is valued for its use in water gardens and as an aquarium plant, where its ability to grow in wet conditions and even slightly brackish water is advantageous. It is also popular in herbal medicine, reputed for its cognitive-enhancing properties. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade, high amounts of water, and can tolerate soils with slow or standing drainage. It is relatively easy to propagate through cuttings. However, gardeners should be aware of its potential to become invasive outside its native range, particularly in Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. It is advisable to grow Bacopa monnieri in contained areas or pots to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.1-0.3 feet
Width: 0.333-1 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium, High
Drainage: Medium, Slow, Standing

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wetlands, marshes, and muddy shores in tropical and subtropical regions

Other Names

Common Names: Water Hyssop , Waterhyssop , Brahmi , Thyme-Leafed Gratiola , Indian Pennywort , Litet Tjockblad , Indian Pennywort , Adha-Birni , Bacopa , Brahmi

Scientific Names: Bacopa monnieri , Mecardonia procumbens , Herpestis monnieri , Herpestis monnieria , Bacopa monnieria , Bramia monnieri , Gratiola monnieri , Capraria monnieria , Gratiola monnieria , Herpestes monnieria

GBIF Accepted Name: Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell