Gratiola

Scientific name

Gratiola L.

Common names

hedge hyssop

Family

Plantaginaceae

Similar genera

Hygrophila, Hypericum, Limnophila, Lysimachia, Lythrum, Macbridea, Mentha, Mimulus, Pogostemon, Rotala

Native distribution

temperatetemperate:
(adj) of the climatic zone between boreal and tropical
regions and montane tropical regions

Species cultivated

Gratiola officinalis L.

G. peruviana L.

G. viscidula Pennell

Adventive distribution

Gratiola neglecta Torr. is introduced into Europe.

G. officinalis is introduced into Korea.

Weed status

occasional weed

Habit

submersedsubmersed:
see submerged
and emergentemergent:
(adj) (syn. emersed) with parts raised out of the water; extending up out of the water
attached stem plantstem plant:
(n) (a term used in the aquarium and pond plant trade) having an elongate stem (as opposed to a compact stem)

Brief description

Annual or perennialperennial:
(adj) (of a plant) having a life cycle of more than two years
. Stems ascending or erect, new shoots arising from basalbasal:
(adj) at or pertaining to the base, or point of attachment
stem appearing jointed. Leaves oppositeopposite:
(adj) (of leaves) two leaves per node; in pairs on opposite sides of an axis
, decussatedecussate:
(adj) arranged along stem in pairs, with each pair at right angles to the pairs above and below
, evenly spaced along stem, sessilesessile:
(adj) attached directly, without a stalk
; leaf bladeblade:
(n) (syn. lamina) the flat, expanded part of a leaf, frond, or petal (excluding, e.g., the petiole)
ovateovate:
(adj) egg-shaped in outline; generally with the broad end at or near the base
-lanceolate to linear; marginmargin:
(n) edge; rim
serrateserrate:
(adj) (of a leaf margin) bearing sharp teeth pointing forward or to the apex
. Inflorescenceinflorescence:
(n) the arrangement of flowers on the floral axis
axillary. Flowers solitary, pedicellatepedicellate:
(adj) borne on a pedicel
; sepals 5, green, unequal; petals fused, 2-lipped, lobes 5, unequal, white. Dispersal by seed or stem fragments.

Natural habitat

shallow water and wet ground

Additional comments

Gratiola contains approximately 28 species, of which a few species, such as G. officinalis and G. peruviana, are sometimes cultivated for ponds. Gratiola officinalis is widely used as a medicinal herb and is protected in France.