View source for Bacopa

{{Short description|Genus of aquatic plants}}
{{About|the plant genus|the species in this genus that is widely used in herbal medicine|Bacopa monnieri}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|image =Starr 070815-8055 Bacopa monnieri.jpg
|image_caption = ''[[Bacopa monnieri]]''
|taxon = Bacopa
|authority = [[Jean Baptiste Christophore Fusée Aublet|Aubl.]] (1775), nom. cons.<ref name="GRIN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?1218 |title=Genus: ''Bacopa'' Aubl. |work=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |date=2007-10-05 |accessdate=2011-01-18}}</ref>
|subdivision_ranks = Species
|subdivision = 60; see text
|subdivision_ref = <ref name = powo>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:331379-2 ''Bacopa'' Aubl.] ''[[Plants of the World Online]]''. Retrieved 14 May 2024.</ref>
|synonyms =
*''Allocalyx'' {{small|Cordem. (1895)}}
*''Anisocalyx'' {{small|Hance (1853)}}
*''Blanckia'' {{small|Neck. (1790), opus utique oppr.}}
*''Brami'' <small>Adans. (1763)</small>
*''Bramia'' <small>Lam. (1785)</small>
*''Caconapea'' {{small|Cham. in Linnaea 8: 28 (1833)}}
*''Calytriplex'' {{small|Ruiz & Pav. (1794)}}
*''Cardiolophus'' {{small|Griff. (1836)}}
*''Conobea'' {{small|Aubl. (1775)}}
*''Habershamia'' {{small|Raf. (1825)}}
*''Heptas'' {{small|Meisn. (1840)}}
*''Herpestis'' <small>Gaertn. (1807)</small>
*''Hydranthelium'' {{small|Kunth (1825)}}
*''Hydropyxis'' {{small|Raf. in Fl. Ludov.: 94 (1817)}}
*''Hydrotrida'' {{small|Willd. ex Britton & A.Br. (1913)}}
*''Macuillamia'' <small>Raf. (1825)</small>
*''Moniera'' <small>P.Browne (1756), nom. rej.</small>
*''Maeviella'' {{small|Rossow (1983-1985 publ. 1985)}}
*''Mella'' {{small|Vand. (1788)}}
*''Monocardia'' <small>Pennell (1919 publ. 1920)</small>
*''Naiadothrix'' {{small|Pennell (1920)}}
*''Quinquelobus'' {{small|Benj. (1847)}}
*''Ranapalus'' {{small|Kellogg (1877)}}
*''Ranaria'' {{small|Cham. (1833)}}
*''Septas'' {{small|Lour. (1790), nom. illeg.}}
*''Septilia'' {{small|Raf. (1838)}}
*''Silvinula'' {{small|Pennell (1920)}}
*''Sinobacopa'' {{small|D.Y.Hong (1987)}}
*''Sphaerotheca'' {{small|Cham. & Schltdl. (1827)}}
|synonyms_ref = <ref name = powo/>
}}
'''''Bacopa''''' is a genus of 60 [[aquatic plant]]s belonging to the family [[Plantaginaceae]]. It is commonly known as '''waterhyssop''' (or '''water hyssop''', though this is more misleading as ''Bacopa'' is not very closely related to [[hyssop]] but simply has a somewhat similar [[Morphology (biology)|appearance]]).
==Description==
[[File:Bacopa monnieri W IMG 1612.jpg|thumb|190px|left|''[[Bacopa monnieri]]'' in [[Hyderabad]], India. ]]
They are [[Annual plant|annual]] or [[Perennial plant|perennial]], with [[decumbent]] or erect stems. The [[leaves]] are opposite or whorled, and [[Sessility (botany)|sessile]]. The [[leaf]] blade is regular, round to linear, and the venation is palmate or pinnate. Its [[Plant stem|stems]] are hairy or smooth. The [[flowers]] are produced solitary or in pairs from leaf [[axil]]s, usually radially [[symmetrical]], with five [[sepals]] and five [[petals]], and they are usually white, blue, or purple. Dispersal and propagation is by [[seeds]] and stem fragments. Crushed leaves have a distinctive 'lemon' scent.
[[File:Bacopa myriophylloides.jpg|thumb|''[[Bacopa myriophylloides]]'']]
==Habitat and range==
''Bacopa'' species are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly the [[Americas]]. A few are regarded as weeds and excess stock should not be dumped in warmer regions. Most grow in moist amphibious conditions, though some like ''B. myriophylloides'' seem to be wholly [[Aquatic plant|aquatic]].
==Uses==
''[[Bacopa monnieri]]'' is used in [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic medicine]].{{citation needed|date=May 2019}}  Preliminary clinical research found that the herb may [[nootropic|improve cognition]].<ref name=Aguiar2013>{{cite journal |last1=Aguiar |first1=Sebastian |last2=Borowski |first2=Thomas |title=Neuropharmacological review of the nootropic herb Bacopa monnieri |journal=Rejuvenation Research |date=2013 |volume=16 |issue=4 |pages=313–326 |doi=10.1089/rej.2013.1431 |pmid=23772955 |pmc=3746283 |issn=1557-8577}}</ref><ref name=Konkeaw2014>{{cite journal |last1=Kongkeaw |first1=C |last2=Dilokthornsakul |first2=P |last3=Thanarangsarit |first3=P |last4=Limpeanchob |first4=N |last5=Norman Scholfield |first5=C |title=Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of ''Bacopa monnieri'' extract. |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |date=2014 |volume=151 |issue=1 |pages=528–35 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008 |pmid=24252493}}</ref><ref name="Neale">{{cite journal | last1=Neale | first1=Chris | last2=Camfield | first2=David | last3=Reay | first3=Jonathon | last4=Stough | first4=Con | last5=Scholey | first5=Andrew | title=Cognitive effects of two nutraceuticals Ginseng and Bacopa benchmarked against modafinil: a review and comparison of effect sizes | journal=British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology | volume=75 | issue=3 | date=5 February 2013 | issn=0306-5251 | pmid=23043278 | pmc=3575939 | doi=10.1111/bcp.12002 | pages=728–737}}</ref>
==Cultivation==
Some of these species are commonly used in freshwater [[aquarium]]s and ponds in warmer climates. Most are easy to grow and will tolerate a wide range of conditions. ''[[Bacopa monnieri|B. monnieri]]'' will tolerate [[brackish]] water up to 15 ppt, due to specialized adaptations that enable it to survive in saline environments. [[Algae|Algal]] infestation can be a problem in brighter lighting conditions.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://bp.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/bpl-199901-0015_Proline-Accumulation-Protein-Pattern-and-Photosynthesis-in-Bacopa-Monniera-Regenerants-Grown-under.php?back=/magno/bpl/1999/mn1.php?secid=3|doi = 10.1023/A:1002127711432|title = Proline Accumulation, Protein Pattern and Photosynthesis in Bacopa Monniera Regenerants Grown under Na ''Cl'' Stress|year = 1999|last1 = Ali|first1 = G.|last2 = Srivastava|first2 = P.S.|last3 = Iqbal|first3 = M.|journal = Biologia Plantarum|volume = 42|pages = 89–95|s2cid = 30418903|doi-access = free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/histological-and-morphological-responses-of-bacopa-monnieri-l-pennell-in-glycophytic-and-halophytic-conditions/?view=fulltext|title = Histological and Morphological Responses of Bacopa Monnieri (L.) Pennell in Glycophytic and Halophytic Conditions &#124; International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research|date = 31 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Native Plants Hawaii | title=Bacopa monnieri | url=http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Bacopa_monnieri | accessdate = 19 July 2012}}</ref>
==Species==
60 species are accepted.<ref name = powo/>
{|
|- valign=top
|
* ''[[Bacopa albida]]'' {{small|(Pennell) Standl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa angulata]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Loefgr. & Edwall}}
* ''[[Bacopa aquatica]]'' {{small|Aubl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa arenaria]]'' {{small|(J.A.Schmidt) Loefgr. & Edwall}}
* ''[[Bacopa aubletiana]]'' {{small|Scatigna}}
* ''[[Bacopa australis]]'' {{small|V.C.Souza}}
* ''[[Bacopa axillaris]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Standl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa bacopoides]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Pulle}}
* ''[[Bacopa beccabunga]]'' {{small|(Griseb.) B.L.Rob.}}
* ''[[Bacopa bracteolata]]'' {{small|Standl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa braunii]]'' {{small|(Ernst) Pennell}}
* ''[[Bacopa callitrichoides]]'' {{small|(Kunth) Pennell}}
* ''[[Bacopa caroliniana]]'' <small>(Walter) B.L.Rob.</small> &ndash; lemon bacopa, blue water hyssop, giant bacopa
* ''[[Bacopa cochlearia]]'' {{small|(Huber) L.B.Sm.}}
* ''[[Bacopa congesta]]'' {{small|Chodat & Hassl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa connata]]'' {{small|(Pennell) Pennell}}
* ''[[Bacopa crenata]]'' {{small|(P.Beauv.) Hepper}}
* ''[[Bacopa decumbens]]'' <small>(Fernald) F.N.Williams</small><ref name="GRINSpecies">{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?1218 |title=GRIN Species Records of ''Bacopa'' |work=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |accessdate=2011-01-18}}</ref>
* ''[[Bacopa depressa]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Loefgr. & Edwall}}
* ''[[Bacopa dubia]]'' {{small|Chodat & Hassl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa egensis]]'' {{small|(Poepp.) Pennell}}
* ''[[Bacopa eisenii]]'' <small>(Kellogg) Pennell</small> &ndash; Gila River waterhyssop <ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=33037 |taxon=''Bacopa'' |accessdate=2011-01-18}}</ref>
* ''[[Bacopa floribunda]]'' {{small|(R.Br.) Wettst.}}
* ''[[Bacopa gracilis]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Loefgr. & Edwall}}
* ''[[Bacopa gratioloides]]'' {{small|(Cham.) Chodat}}
* ''[[Bacopa hamiltoniana]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Wettst.}}
* ''[[Bacopa humifusa]]'' {{small|(Griseb.) B.L.Rob.}}
* ''[[Bacopa imbricata]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Pennell}}
* ''[[Bacopa innominata]]'' <small>(G.Maza) Alain</small> &ndash; tropical waterhyssop
* ''[[Bacopa lacertosa]]'' {{small|Standl.}}
|
* ''[[Bacopa lanigera]]'' {{small|(Cham. & Schltdl.) Wettst.}}
* ''[[Bacopa laxiflora]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Edwall}}
* ''[[Bacopa lecomtei]]'' {{small|Bonati}}
* ''[[Bacopa lisowskiana]]'' {{small|Mielcarek}}
* ''[[Bacopa longipes]]'' {{small|(Pennell) Standl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa madagascariensis]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Pennell}}
* ''[[Bacopa micromonnieria]]'' {{small|(Griseb.) B.L.Rob.}}
* ''[[Bacopa minuta]]'' {{small|Borhidi & O.Muñiz}}
* ''[[Bacopa monnieri]]'' <small>(L.) Wettst.</small> &ndash; water hyssop, moneywort, herb of grace
* ''[[Bacopa monnierioides]]'' {{small|(Cham.) B.L.Rob.}}
* ''[[Bacopa myriophylloides]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Wettst.}}
* ''[[Bacopa neuwiedii]]'' {{small|Scatigna}}
* ''[[Bacopa occultans]]'' {{small|(Hiern) Hutch. & Dalziel}}
* ''[[Bacopa oxycalyx]]'' {{small|Alain}}
* ''[[Bacopa paraguariensis]]'' {{small|(S.Moore) Hassl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa pennellii]]'' {{small|G.M.Barroso & Ichaso}}
* ''[[Bacopa punctata]]'' {{small|Engl.}}
* ''[[Bacopa repens]]'' <small>(Sw.) Wettst.</small><ref name="GRINSpecies"/>
* ''[[Bacopa reptans]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Edwall}}
* ''[[Bacopa rotundifolia]]'' <small>([[André Michaux|Michx.]]) [[Richard Wettstein|Wettst.]]</small> &ndash; disc waterhyssop
* ''[[Bacopa salzmannii]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Edwall}}
* ''[[Bacopa scabra]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Descole & Borsini}}
* ''[[Bacopa scoparioides]]'' {{small|(Cham. & Schltdl.) Scatigna}}
* ''[[Bacopa semiserrata]]'' {{small|(Schrank) B.L.Rob.}}
* ''[[Bacopa serpyllifolia]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Pennell}}
* ''[[Bacopa sessiliflora]]'' {{small|(Benth.) Edwall}}
* ''[[Bacopa stemodioides]]'' {{small|(Pennell) Pennell}}
* ''[[Bacopa stricta]]'' <small>(Schrad.) Wettst. ex Edwall</small> &ndash; yerba de culebra<ref name="ITIS"/>
* ''[[Bacopa valerii]]'' {{small|Standl. & L.O.Williams}}
* ''[[Bacopa verticillata]]'' {{small|(Pennell & Gleason) Pennell}}
|}
===Formerly placed here===
*''[[Mecardonia procumbens]]'' <small>(Mill.) Small</small> (as ''B. procumbens'' <small>(Mill.) Greenm.</small>)<ref name="GRINSpecies"/>
==See also==
*''[[Chaenostoma cordatum]]'' syn. ''Sutera cordata'', a plant also known by the obsolete name Bacopa.
==References==
{{Commons category|Bacopa}}
{{Wikispecies}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1409203}}
[[Category:Plantaginaceae]]
[[Category:Plantaginaceae genera]]
[[Category:Freshwater plants]]
[[Category:Pantropical flora]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Jean Baptiste Christophore Fusée Aublet]]