Centella cordifolia | |
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Pressing of C. cordifolia | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Apiales |
Family: | Apiaceae |
Genus: | Centella |
Species: | C. cordifolia |
Binomial name | |
Centella cordifolia | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Centella cordifolia, commonly known as swamp pennywort or arthritis herb, [2] is a trailing perennial herb [3] native to Australia. [4] The species is common in preferred local environments. [5] [6] It potentially has medicinal purposes and indigenous cultural significance. [7] C. cordifolia can be sourced commercially at Australian plant nurseries. [5]
Centella cordifolia is a groundcover herb that can grow up to 15 cm (5.9 in) tall, [4] and typically stretches 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) wide. [5]
Leaves are heart-shaped (cordate), glabrescent, glossy and dark green. [4] The lamina is 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) in length (with a similarly sized width), with five to seven veins and scarious margins. [8] When exposed directly to the sun, the leaves sit lowered, towards the ground, whereas in the shade they will stand upright. [4] The petiole has a purple tint, sheathing and broad at the base, and can be up to five times the length of the lamina. [8]
Flowers occur in subsessile umbels in an ovate shape, 3 mm (0.12 in) in length and each containing two to three florets. [8] Petals are purple or white, [5] ovate, and approximately 1.5 mm (0.059 in) in length. [8] Sepals form a very small, lobed ring, and at the base are two involucral bracts. [8] Anthers are dark purple. [8] Flowering times for C. cordifolia occur between late summer (December) to early autumn (March). [8] [9]
Fruit is small, rounded, laterally compressed and contains seeds. [9] five longitudinal ribs span the mericarp, [8] which is 2.5–3 mm (0.098–0.118 in) in length and 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) in width. [8] Small hairs towards the apex can be present, but in general the fruit is glabrous. [8]
Distinguishing C. cordifolia from other Centella species can be difficult, particularly from C. asiatica , which also inhabits parts of Australia. [10] The leaf margins of C. cordifolia are more serrate, whereas C. asiatica have more dentate margins. [10] C. cordifolia also has mat-like growth habit, which can be distinguished from other Centella species that have greater vertical and spreading growth habits. [10]
Centella cordifolia is native to Australia, growing in parts of Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. [8] However, the species has limited records and distribution lacks an extensive understanding. [8]
The herb grows in damp, poorly drained environments, including marshy soils or shallow waters. [5] Sun exposure can range from full to partial shade. [5] It is intolerant to phosphorus and moderately frost tolerant. [11]
Centella cordifolia forms part of the understory in the various damp environments it inhabits. [11] It can provide a habitat for frogs. [7] Its root system stabilizes the damp soils it can grow in, preventing erosion. [12]
Centella cordifolia is known to treat rheumatism and arthritis, [7] [2] though widespread adoption and evidence for this is limited. The herb is said to have an indigenous cultural significance, [7] again with limited information available.
C. cordifolia is closely related to Centella asiatica [10] and their uses may be interchangeable. [13] C. asiatica is widespread across Australia, Africa, Asia, North and South America, with well-known cultural, medicinal and culinary uses. [13] In a 2017 study published by Frontiers in Plant Science . [10] C. cordifolia was found to be genetically and chemically similar to C. asiatica , when comparing three Centella species (C. cordifolia, C. asiatica and C. erecta ).
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