False pennywort is a rhizomatous perennial plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) that is native to Asia, India, Africa and Australia. It is found in tropical to subtropical areas in moist to wet areas along swamps, ponds and rivers. It is considered a highly invasive plant in several Pacific islands to which it has been introduced It grows low to the ground and can spread quickly into a dense ground cover. It needs partial shade to full sun in moist to wet but well-drained soils. False pennywort grows with small, fan-shaped green leaves and small white or pinkish flowers. The leaves are edible and the plant is widely used medicinally as an herb called gutu kola. It has been used in soils contaminated with heavy metals as it has the ability to take up the contaminants. The plant can be used as an annual ground cover in cooler regions or in a container. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Weedy. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High; Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Prostrate; Spreading
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Orbicular; Ovate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The somewhat fleshy green leaves are on petioles that are often longer than the leaves. They are broadly ovate to orbicular with a shallow cordate base and dentate margins. They are 3/4 to 2 inches long and wide.
Flower color
Green; Pink
Flower form
Insignificant; Umbel
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are small white or pink and insignificant. They appear in small clusters just above the soil and each flower is partly enclosed in two green bracts
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Berry; Schizocarp
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Small, dry, and flattened schizocarps, measuring about 3–3.5 mm in diameter. They have a net-like pattern and a curved shape with prominent ribs.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
The green/reddish green, slender stems are creeping stolons.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Asia, India, Africa and Australia
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Fruit type
Berry; Schizocarp
Edibility
The leaves are edible and used in salads or rice and lentil dishes.