Scientific Name: Hydrocotyle hirta

Common Name: hairy pennywort

Family Classification (Clade): Eudicots

Family: Araliaceae

Form Description: Perennial herb with creeping stems mainly above ground.

Flowers: Flower heads 1-2 cm across, greenish, on long hairy stalks, giving off a strong offensive odour.

Fruit: Mericarp – about 2.5 mm broad in two sections, each with a blunt dorsal rib.

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsCircular HeadClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyHobartHuon ValleyKentishKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Grassland
Habitat Notes

Local in open grassland on the Queen’s Domain, Hobart.

Site Tolerance

Dry, Exposed, Moist, Shady

Soil Tolerance

Fertile, Loam, Well-drained

General Notes

Excellent groundcover for shaded positions and erosion control on shady banks, however it may be invasive in home gardens and its strong odour also makes it unattractive for most garden settings.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
SeedCuttingsDivision

Seed Information

Seed Collection

As collection is tedious propagation is generally by division, which is easy, or from cuttings.

Seed Treatment Method

Standard Scatter seed thinly on to damp potting mix. Hold seed in place by covering with more potting mix to approximately the depth of the seed size.

Seed Treatment Notes

No treatment required.

Cutting & Division Information

Propagate from cuttings, or by division of rhizomes. Rooted segments may be heeled in to their final positions so long as they are kept well-watered until they have become established.