Bacopa

'' in Hyderabad, India They are annual or perennial, with decumbent or erect stems. The leaves are opposite or whorled, and sessile. The leaf blade is regular, round to linear, and the venation is palmate or pinnate. Its stems are hairy or smooth. The flowers are produced solitary or in pairs from leaf axils, 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. '' ==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. ==Uses==

Bacopa monnieri is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Preliminary clinical research found that the herb may improve cognition. ==Cultivation==

Some of these species are commonly used in freshwater aquariums and ponds in warmer climates. Most are easy to grow and will tolerate a wide range of conditions. B. monnieri will tolerate brackish water up to 15 ppt, due to specialized adaptations that enable it to survive in saline environments. Algal infestation can be a problem in brighter lighting conditions. ==Species==

60 species are accepted. • Bacopa depressa • Bacopa dubia • Bacopa egensis • Bacopa eisenii (Kellogg) Pennell – Gila River waterhyssop • Bacopa floribunda • Bacopa gracilis • Bacopa gratioloides • Bacopa hamiltoniana • Bacopa humifusa • Bacopa imbricata • Bacopa innominata (G.Maza) Alain – tropical waterhyssop • Bacopa lacertosa • Bacopa lanigera • Bacopa laxiflora • Bacopa lecomtei • Bacopa lisowskiana • Bacopa longipes • Bacopa madagascariensis • Bacopa micromonnieria • Bacopa minuta • Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. – water hyssop, moneywort, herb of grace • Bacopa monnierioides • Bacopa myriophylloides • Bacopa neuwiedii • Bacopa occultans • Bacopa oxycalyx • Bacopa paraguariensis • Bacopa pennellii • Bacopa punctata • Bacopa repens (Sw.) Wettst. • Bacopa reptans • Bacopa rotundifolia (Michx.) Wettst. – disc waterhyssop • Bacopa salzmannii • Bacopa scabra • Bacopa scoparioides • Bacopa semiserrata • Bacopa serpyllifolia • Bacopa sessiliflora • Bacopa stemodioides • Bacopa stricta (Schrad.) Wettst. ex Edwall – yerba de culebra • Bacopa valerii • Bacopa verticillata ==See also==