Water Pennywort
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides
Care
full sun
Friendly
Leaves eaten raw in salads or cooked as greens; used in Asian cuisines
Wetlands and aquatic habitats throughout California, below 3000 ft elevation
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your water pennywort in full sun in a water feature or wet habitat - it's an aquatic plant that needs consistently wet conditions to thrive. The Calscape data doesn't specify soil type, drainage, spacing, or ideal planting season, so consult your nursery for those details specific to your setup.
After Planting
Water pennywort is adapted to wet environments, so your main task is maintaining adequate moisture rather than establishing a weaning schedule. Keep an eye on this plant if you're near natural waterways, as it can spread aggressively in some regions - the Calscape data notes it's considered invasive in the UK and Australia, so responsible containment in your garden feature is important.
Wildlife Supported
Birds
dabbling waterfowl grazes on aquatic plants in freshwater habitats
forages on aquatic vegetation in shallow wetlands
uses dense aquatic vegetation beds for nesting support and foraging cover
dabbling duck grazes on aquatic vegetation during migration and wintering
Insects
obligate endoparasite fungus on plant tissues
larvae develop on plant surfaces; adults may feed on associated invertebrates
larvae mine leaf tissues; multiple generations per growing season
larvae create characteristic serpentine mines in leaves
feeds on plant sap; populations peak in warm months