Bacopa rotundifolia


Bacopa rotundifolia is a species of water hyssop known as the disk water hyssop or round-leafed water hyssop, due to the shape of its leaves. This is an aquatic plant native to water bodies of the central United States and well known in other areas as an invasive weed of waterways. The round leaves are 1 to 3 centimeters wide and each has six longitudinal veins. The plant produces yellow-throated white flowers. The plant is in bloom during the fall, its fruit/seed abundance is medium and its seed spread rate is slow. The plant has no commercial use.

Taxonomy

Bacopa rotundifolia was scientifically described in 1803 by André Michaux and named Moniera rotundifolia. It was moved to another genus five different times, but it was moved to Bacopa in 1891 by Richard Wettstein giving the species its accepted name. Together with its genus it is part of the family Plantaginaceae. It has synonyms.