Bacopa monniera

• Maximum size: 25 - 50 cm
• pH of water: 6.3 - 8.8
• DH of water: dGH 8 - 30°N
• Recommended temperature: 20 - 27°C
• Recommended substrate: Fine gravel
• Light conditions: Bright
• Place in aquarium: Background
• Way of propagation: Cuttings

Bacopa moneri (family Scrophulariaceae) is a sturdier plant than B. caroliniana  and fairly easy to grow. It should be planted in bunches to give a good effect  in an aquarium. Bacopa moneri propagates easily from cutting its long fairly  unbranched stems. It needs a fair amount of light and can even grow in full sunlight  on the edge of a pond where it will flower easily. The flowers are usually  white but do not seem to set seed easily.

It commonly grows in marshy areas throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and is also found in Florida and other southern states of the USA where it can be grown in damp conditions by the pond or bog garden.

This can be considered a medicinal plant. Bacopa monnieri apparently helps in improving alertness and also has a calming effect without sedating. Further, bacosides A and B increases protein kinase activity and helps in synthesizing new proteins in the body mainly in the cerebrum associated with long term memory and enhancement of recall levels and learning.

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Habitat

This is an aquatic emergent plant. Bacopa is an emersed plant.

Synonyms

Bacopa monnieri (L.)  Wettst,  Bramia monnieri (L.)  Pennell, Bramia monniera (R. Br.)  Pennell, Gratiola  monnieri L, Herpestis monniera (L.) Kuntze, Lysimachia monnieri L., Septas repens Lour.

CHINESE : Jia ma chi  xian. (ref)

ENGLISH : Bacopa, Brain plant, Coastal waterhyssop, Herb of grace, Indian pennywort, Moneywort,  Monnier's bacopa,  Thyme-leaved gratiola, Water hyssop, White hyssop.