Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri, Fam. Plantaginaceae
Much branched, glabrous, prostrate perennial herb with creeping stems, to 50cm, rooting at nodes, often forming dense mats.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Herb |
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Leaf: | Succulent leaves, cuneate-oblong or obovate, 3.5–15mm x 1.5–7mm, apex rounded, base attenuate with 1-3 parallel veins, margins entire. Sessile. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Blue, White, Purple |
| Flower description: | Solitary white or pale blue, often with purple lines, dark purple throat and yellow tube, 4.5–9mm long, tube 2–4.5mm long. Lobes spreading and rounded. Spring to summer. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Green |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Ovoid or ellipsoid capsule, about 4mm long, topped by persistent style 3–4.5mm long. Seeds, numerous, ellipsoid, truncate at one end, longitudinally striate. |
| Habitat: | Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, wetland. |
| Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales. |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia. |
| Notes: | Grows on the edge of freshwater or brackish pools or streams, sometimes submerged. Popular aquatic plant for aquariums. Traditional medicinal plant in India, thought to enhance memory, learning and concentration. |
| Information sources: | Atlas of Living Australia (2022) Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., PlantNET (2022) Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. FloraOnline. |
