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Waterhyssop

Bacopa spp.

Waterhyssop Locations in North America
Waterhyssop Locations in Southeast US

Bacopa on table

Waterhyssop
Waterhyssop
Waterhyssop

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.

What is Waterhyssop?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • 1/8th inch wide
  • 5/8th inch long
  • Relatively thick
  • Opposite

Flowers:

  • Small
  • 4-5 petals

Stem:

  • Many branches

Where Does it Grow?

Waterhyssop can be found in fresh or brackish waters.

Pros and Cons of Waterhyssop

Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

What Type of Waterhyssop Do I Have?

There are 2 species of waterhyssop that are common in Texas. Click on the buttons to learn more about each species.

Bacopa caroliniana
Bacopa monnieri
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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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