Lysimachia

Scientific name

Lysimachia L.

Common names

moneywort, creeping Jenny, creeping Charlie, loosestrife

Family

Primulaceae

Similar genera

Bacopa, Gratiola, Hypericum, Lythrum, Macbridea, Micranthemum, Mimulus

Native distribution

cosmopolitancosmopolitan:
(adj) essentially worldwide in distribution

Species cultivated

Lysimachia nummularia L.

Adventive distribution

Lysimachia nummularia is long established in eastern North America.

Weed status

Lysimachia nummularia and L. vulgaris L. are considered noxious weeds.

Habit

creeping or erect 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

Perennial. Stem creeping or ascending to erect. Leaves oppositeopposite:
(adj) (of leaves) two leaves per node; in pairs on opposite sides of an axis
, distichousdistichous:
(adj) (of leaves or flowers) distinctly arranged in two ranks along an axis; leaves may be opposite or alternate
or decussatedecussate:
(adj) arranged along stem in pairs, with each pair at right angles to the pairs above and below
, sessilesessile:
(adj) attached directly, without a stalk
, simple, orbicularorbicular:
(adj) circular in outline
to ovateovate:
(adj) egg-shaped in outline; generally with the broad end at or near the base
, entireentire:
(adj) having a continuous margin that is not toothed or lobed
. Flowers solitary in leaf axils, short-pedicellate, conspicuous, yellow; sepals 5; petals 5, united at base. Dispersal by stem fragments and seed.

Natural habitat

shallow water and wet ground

Additional comments

A large cosmopolitancosmopolitan:
(adj) essentially worldwide in distribution
genus containing only a few aquatic species. Two forms of L. nummularia are cultivated—standard, with green foliage, and 'Aurea', with yellow-green foliage. Several cultivated species have numerous hybrids and varieties.