Creeping perennial herb rooting at the nodes. Leaves cordate, 1-3 cm long and mostly roundish or broader than long, the blade with 5-7 veins and margins entire or with rounded teeth. Flower clusters simple or 2-3-compound, with 2-3 pink to purple or white flowers; summer to autumn. Fruit 2-3 mm long, strongly ribbed and reticulated. [Hydrocotyle asiatica L.]
Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Pacific
C. cordifolia (Hook. f.) Nannf., Heart-leaved Pennywort (Swamp Pennywort), is probably a native plant and occurs in most states. It is very similar to C. asiatica and has at times been considered to be the same species. C. cordifolia is said to be distinguished by having leaves that are longer than broad, leaf margins weakly waved, and a fruit with a strong reticulate pattern on its surface. However, intermediates are known. The species are currently under revision.
Source: (2002). Apiaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.