Dollar Weed (Pennywort) Identification & Treatment
Scientific Name: Hydrocotyle spp. (H. umbellata, H. ranunculoides, H. verticillata) Category: Emergent Tier: 2 — Regionally Significant — Common in multiple EPA ecoregions
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Identification
Pennywort has distinctive round, bright green, coin-shaped leaves (1–2 inches diameter) on long, slender stalks. The leaf stalk attaches to the center of the leaf (peltate), giving it a lily-pad-in-miniature appearance. Plants creep along the ground and across the water surface, rooting at nodes. Key distinguishing features:
- Round, coin-shaped leaves (hence "dollar weed")
- Stalk attaches to center of leaf (peltate)
- Creeping, mat-forming growth habit
- Small white flower clusters on stalks
Treatment
Recommended Natural Waterscapes Products:
- Glyphosate 5.4 — Systemic herbicide for emergent foliage. Glyphosate 5.4
- Clearcast (imazamox) — Systemic herbicide for shoreline/emergent plants. Clearcast
Full Profile
- Native Range: Native to the Americas
- US Distribution: Primarily southern and eastern US. USDA Zones 5–11.
- Regulatory Status: Not regulated (native).
- Habitat: Pond margins, wet lawns, ditches, shorelines. Prefers moist to wet conditions.
- Reproduction: Creeping stems root at nodes. Also by seed.
- Ecological Benefits: Provides ground cover in wet areas, invertebrate habitat, and some erosion control.
Sources: Texas A&M AquaPlant – Water Pennywort | USDA PLANTS Database
Related Species
- Cattails (Typha latifolia (broadleaf), T. angustifolia (narrowleaf), T. × glauca (hybrid)) — Emergent, Tier 1
- Phragmites (Common Reed) (Phragmites australis subsp. australis (invasive) vs. P. australis subsp. americanus (native)) — Emergent, Tier 1
- Creeping Water Primrose (Ludwigia spp. (L. peploides, L. grandiflora, L. repens)) — Emergent, Tier 1
- Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) — Emergent, Tier 2
- Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus) — Emergent, Tier 3
- Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) — Emergent, Tier 3
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