Horticulture/Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides

The lawn pennywort (Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides), also called the lawn marshpennywort, is a creeping perennial plant often found as a weed of gardens, pathways and lawns, but occasionally planted for its attractive, glossy foliage.

Description
This plant is a prostrate creeping herb 1 to 2 cm tall with an unlimited spread via the wiry, hollow, green stems that root freely at the nodes.

Leaves are alternate and/or in whorls at the nodes, compound, with 2 stipules, orbicular or nearly so. Palmate veination and lobes, lobes 7, quite variable, generally less than 1 cm wide. Glabrous and bright green.

Flowers are borne in simple or compound umbels held on a long peduncle above the foliage mat. Small, perianth 5-numerous, stamens 5. Green.

Ecology
Native to Asia and Africa, but introduced elsewhere where it has escaped to become a serious weed that may become invasive in wet areas or along stream banks.

Uses
A pretty ground cover, may also be used in pots as a green base for larger plants.

Control
Control of this plant can be difficult, as it can regrow from very small stolon fragments, and can grow across the crowns of larger plants.