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Bacopa monnieri

(L.) Wettst. (1891)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Plantaginaceae Genus: Bacopa

‘ae‘ae, ‘ae‘ae [aeae] (Ni‘ihau)

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Perennial herbs.

Stems: Stems prostrate or loosely ascending, forming mats, rooting at the nodes, 1–6 dm long, glabrous.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades fleshy, spatulate to cuneate–obovate, 5–20 mm long, 3–10 mm wide. Apex obtuse to rounded. Surfaces glabrous. Margins entire. Petioles 0–2 mm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers solitary in the leaf axils. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Pedicels 6–20 mm long, sometimes slightly elongating in fruit. Calyx deeply 5-lobed, the lobes nearly distinct, unequal in width, the uppermost lobes broader, outermost calyx lobes broadly ovate, 4–6 mm long, 2.5–5 mm wide, inner ones narrowly ovate, 4–5 mm long, ca. 1 mm wide, Calyx subtended by 2 linear bracts. Corolla white to lilac or pale blue, 6–10 mm long, glabrous. Stamens 4, in 2 pairs, all fertile. Ovary superior, 2-carpellate, with as many cells; ovule placentation axile. Styles 2-lobed.

Fruit: Capsules conical to ovoid; 5–8 mm long. Seeds pale brown; oblong; ca. 0.4–0.5 mm long; longitudinally ridged.

Ploidy: 2n = 64; 68

Habitat: Coastal areas on mud flats; sand; bare calcareous sandstone; rocks; marshes; or shores of brackish streams.

Elevation Range: 0–230 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Indigenous
Kaua'i Indigenous
O'ahu Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Lana'i Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: H.G.A.Engler & K.A.E.Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 4(3b): 77 (1891)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1237 (Mi, Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:524 (KEY), 525 (DESCR); Starr & Starr 2008/Meagher s.n. BISH 69564 (Mi†, 1933); St.John 19836 BISH (L†, 1938)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Bacopa monnieri East Maui, Hana District, Haleakala National Park, Kipahulu Valley, Oheo Stream Plants growing on rocks and soil next to stream mouth. Vegetation: Pandanus and Scaevola. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 5741 Maui BISH 1977-05-01
2 Bacopa monnieri East Molokai, North Coast, Kaholaiki Bay On rocks by the boulder beach. Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2178 Molokai BISH 1984-08-27
3 Bacopa monnieri Forming mat on sand bar near mouth of small stream, Barking Sands Preserved_Specimen Leaves succulent, bright green; stems brittle; flowers white. Herbst, D.R. 996 Kauai BISH 1968-03-29
4 Bacopa monnieri Kailua marsh behind Mazda car dealer Preserved_Specimen Scandent herb to 15 cm. Stems and leaves succulent. Stems tinged purplish-pink. Leaves opposite, waxy, light green above and below. Nodes yellow. Corolla white with very faint purple tinge. Anthers black Pedicel to 2 cm. tinged purplish-pink. Teraoka, W. 323 Oahu BISH 1980-07-15
5 Bacopa monnieri Forming mat on sand bar near mouth of small stream, Barking Sands Preserved_Specimen Leaves succulent, bright green; stems brittle; flowers white. Herbst, D.R. 996 Kauai BISH 1968-03-29
6 Bacopa monnieri Cultivated in garden of Geoffrey Michels, Wailaau Rd., Koloa Preserved_Specimen Stems weak, succulent and fragile, pale green, glossy. Leaf dark green. Inflorescence: sepals leaf-like, green; flowers 1.4 cm wide, with petals pale lavendar, anthers pale purple. Hume, L. 455 Kauai BISH 1990-01-27
7 Bacopa monnieri Waialae Small colony in low moist sand depression near stream. Preserved_Specimen Egler, F.E. 37166 Oahu BISH 1937-05-18
8 Bacopa monnieri Pearl City Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1531 Oahu BISH 1909-06-18
9 Bacopa monnieri Just above beach at Haena On cliff west of hula platform and heiau, above beach. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-15
10 Bacopa monnieri District of North Hilo. Kolekole Beach Park Sea cliff just south of inlet. Disturbed coastal vegetation. Native spp.: Cyrtomium, Bacopa monnieri, and Lysimachia mauritiana. Naturalized spp.: Casuarina equisetifolia Preserved_Specimen Price, J.P. 71 Hawaii BISH 2001-08-06
11 Bacopa monnieri Waikiki Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 53 Oahu BISH 1864-01-01
12 Bacopa monnieri Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, E of Kahului, VIP canal just off Hwy 36 Preserved_Specimen Perennial herb to 15cm; forming mats; flowers white to lilac. Annable, C.R. 3891 Maui BISH 1999-02-06
13 Bacopa monnieri Mokuleia, near sea level at ocean Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 27944 Oahu BISH 1962-04-25
14 Bacopa monnieri Honopue Valley on seacliff on east side of valley Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 2442 Hawaii BISH 1985-09-02
15 Bacopa monnieri Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-11-16
16 Bacopa monnieri Islet off Malaekahana-Mokuauia Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1938-06-19
17 Bacopa monnieri Kailua; edge of Kaelepulu Pond west borders Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1940-06-11
18 Bacopa monnieri Mana Pond Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-07-22
19 Bacopa monnieri Pupoo [sp?] Fish Ponds Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 410 Molokai BISH 1912-08-01
20 Bacopa monnieri Pearl City Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1909-06-18
21 Bacopa monnieri Kaali Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-02-01
22 Bacopa monnieri Laie Brackish shore of stream. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 11525 Oahu BISH 1932-02-14
23 Bacopa monnieri Hilo Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 1126 Hawaii BISH 1899-05-01
24 Bacopa monnieri Mokupipi, Maui In fresh water seep or puddle. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 504057 Maui BISH 2005-04-05
25 Bacopa monnieri Honolulu, Kamilonui Valley, 908 Kamilonui Rd A prostrate ground cover growing in trays in full sun. Preserved_Specimen Flowers white, odorless (morning). Lau, J. 1838 Oahu BISH 1986-01-13
26 Bacopa monnieri East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden Along coast on lava flats subject to salt spray and saltwater inundation. With Fimbristylis and Sesuvium. Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb with semi-succulent leaves. Corolla pale blue to white. Flynn, T.W. 2387 Maui BISH 1987-10-06
27 Bacopa monnieri Opaeula Pond, Makalawena, Kona Pond 100 meters from ocean. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9757 Hawaii BISH 1982-04-14
28 Bacopa monnieri Kaali Spring, in overflow of In wet soil. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22832 Niihau BISH 1947-08-16
29 Bacopa monnieri Niaupala Fishpond, Kaluaaha Salt marsh. Preserved_Specimen Leaves fleshy. Flower white. St.John, H. 19945 Molokai BISH 1939-01-02
30 Bacopa monnieri Hanalei District; Pohakuao Mixed shrub coastal dry cliff; associated plants: Agave, Drymaria, Pluchea, Kalanchoe, Lantana, Lipochaeta, Bidens, Portulaca, Centaurium sebaeoides, Lysmachia mauritiana. Preserved_Specimen In flower. Wood, K.R. 356 Kauai BISH 1990-06-08
31 Bacopa monnieri Kawaihau District. Private lands behind Coco Palms, parcel on Makai side of Koki Road. Low depression covered with Bacopa, surrounding by secondary lowland forest of Java Plam and Macaranga tanarius and piles of cut green waste and assorted rubbish. Syzygium cumini, Macaranga tanarius, Megathyrsus maximus, Eclipta prostrata, Leucaena leucocephala, Pluchea indica, P. carolinensis, Amaranthus spinosus, Ipomoea triloba, Solanum torvum, Cyperus spp., Preserved_Specimen Mat-forming, filling a low depression 10m x 10m across, probably a small webland at times. Flowers light blue, leaves and stems medium green, succulent, rooting wherever it touches the gtound Williams, A.M. 830 Kauai BISH 2023-09-26
32 Bacopa monnieri Waikamoi, Makawao District Crevices of maritime rocks. Preserved_Specimen Leaves fleshy, corolla white. St.John, H. 25622 Maui BISH 1955-12-23
33 Bacopa monnieri Beach N.W. Kahalui Edge of muddy pond. Preserved_Specimen Flowers white. Fosberg, F.R. 9826 Maui BISH 1933-08-17
34 Bacopa monnieri terrace at the base of a small cliff near the stream in Nualolo Valley, Na Pali Coast Collected in a damp densely shaded nook. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. 346 Kauai BISH 1979-07-18
35 Bacopa monnieri Kaali Spring, in overflow of In wet soil. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 22832 Niihau BISH 1947-08-16
36 Bacopa monnieri Wailau Valley, N.Coast East Molokai Talus slopes at foot of cliffs Preserved_Specimen Prostrate, Flowers white. Fosberg, F.R. 9664 Molokai BISH 1933-07-04
37 Bacopa monnieri Hahaione Valley Dry slopes. Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1625 Oahu BISH 1931-02-25
38 Bacopa monnieri Opuhano, Nahiku On basalt maritime ledges. Preserved_Specimen Flower bluish-white. St.John, H. 24755 Maui BISH 1951-12-28
39 Bacopa monnieri Koko Crater Rocky slope in gully, close to ocean, fresh-water seepage. Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1931-01-18
40 Bacopa monnieri Mana, Waimea Abundant in marshy places. Preserved_Specimen Hosaka, E.Y. 1670 Kauai BISH 1936-11-05
41 Bacopa monnieri Hanalei District. Coastal cliffs and basalt shelves below Princeville. Secondary invasive vegetation, with some relic native taxa with Pandanus tectorius, Scaevola taccada, Vigna marina, Bacopa monnieri, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Cyperus javanicus, Fimbristylis cymosa subsp. Spathacea, Portulaca lutea, Lysimachia mauritiana, Preserved_Specimen herbaceous along seeping basalt walls of coastline with Adiantum capillus-veneris and Pilea peploides Adans, J. 15947 Kauai BISH 2014-06-07
42 Bacopa monnieri Kalaupapa; Papapaiki, coast native coastal Fimbristylis cymosa, alien grass Preserved_Specimen fleshy prostrate herb Wysong, M.L. 576 Molokai BISH 2005-01-12
43 Bacopa monnieri Honolulu, Chinatown, produce seller in Maunakea Marketplace Cultivated culinary herb Preserved_Specimen Stem cuttings 3-6 in long; stem flesh, bright green; leaves firm-fleshy; flowers bright blue inside corolla, lobes white Staples, G.W. 842 Oahu BISH 1992-06-15
44 Bacopa monnieri Paomai, Kanaele In wet hollow. Preserved_Specimen Flowers white, leaves fleshy. St.John, H. 19836 Lanai BISH 1938-04-13
45 Bacopa monnieri Nahiku coast, Opuhano On Ground near shore line with grass. Also in soil in crevices of rocky shore line. Preserved_Specimen Flowers: calyx green, corolla pink-white. Creeping. Chock, A.K. 339 Maui BISH 1951-12-28
46 Bacopa monnieri Opuhano, Nahiku On basalt maritime ledges. Preserved_Specimen Flower bluish-white. St.John, H. 24755 Maui BISH 1951-12-28
47 Bacopa monnieri James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Kahuku. In vicinity of bird-viewing gazebo Common herb growing in standing water w/Brachiaria mutica, Paspalum vaginatum, Bolboschoenus, Echinochloa colona. Preserved_Specimen Imada, C. 9225 Oahu BISH 1992-04-05
48 Bacopa monnieri Koolau Range, Waimea Bay, Kamananui Brackish water in estuary. Preserved_Specimen Cowan, R.S. 395 Oahu BISH 1946-12-01
49 Bacopa monnieri James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Kahuku, Oahu Growing in 1-3 inches of water, large mat. Other species Sesuvium portulacastrum, Cyperus polystachyos, Pluchea indica, Batis maritima. Preserved_Specimen Succulent, creeping herb, white radial flowers. Crago, L.M. 2005048 Oahu BISH 2005-02-04
50 Bacopa monnieri Kailua Sand flat near beach. Preserved_Specimen Corolla tubular, white, stamens 4? alternate on corolla, capsule 2-celled. St.John, H. 9948 Oahu BISH 1929-10-27
51 Bacopa monnieri Mana, near junction of Lio Road and Hwy. 50 Along cane ditch, at edge of and in water. Preserved_Specimen Flowers white, five lobes. Flynn, T.W. 797 Kauai BISH 1984-03-13
52 Bacopa monnieri Just above beach at Haena On cliff west of hula platform and heiau, above beach. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1978-06-15
53 Bacopa monnieri Mokuauia Island, Laie Bare calcareous sandstone Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 14148 Oahu BISH 1937-07-04
54 Bacopa monnieri Hilo mowed lawn Preserved_Specimen Prostrate herb with creeping stems. Leaves rather pale green. Corolla white; limb not very irregular; tube ampliate. Sykes, W.R. 36391 Hawaii BISH 1991-06-03
55 Bacopa monnieri About .3 km S of Anaehoomalu along coast Anchialine pool with native vegetation of Lycium, Bacopa, Scaevola, Sesuvium and Sporobolus virginicus; also Cocos and Thespesia around margins Preserved_Specimen spreading perennial herb Price, J.P. 5 Hawaii BISH 2000-07-21
56 Bacopa monnieri sea level off Waiehu Beach Rd Found in large mat in brackish water. Preserved_Specimen Flowers light blue. Ishikawa, S. 328 Maui BISH 1973-11-29
57 Bacopa monnieri Makakilo Gulch Along banks of small stream. Preserved_Specimen Flowers small. white. Leu, M. 72 Oahu BISH 1987-12-04
58 Bacopa monnieri Kiahuna Plantation Village, Poipu edge of artificial pond within resort gardens Preserved_Specimen herbaceous, bright mat over rocks; small white flowers Trauernicht, C. 195 Kauai BISH 2007-10-12
59 Bacopa monnieri Hamakua marsh, Kailua, mauka of Hamakua Drive Growing on dried mudflats with Spergularia marina, Paspalum. Preserved_Specimen Low groundcover. Imada, C. 927 Oahu BISH 1992-04-04
60 Bacopa monnieri Near Koko Head Beside a spring on the edge of saline mud flats. Preserved_Specimen Perennial herb forming fine strands in small areas Harris, J.A. 242028 Oahu BISH 1924-08-15
61 Bacopa monnieri Kailua Mats on sand back of beach. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10045 Oahu BISH 1929-11-11
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