American Water-pennywort

Hydrocotyle americana

Native to Kentucky (estimated)

Rare or protected plant. Specialist conservation planting; excluded from routine garden suggestions. Plant caution source

Hidden from default planting suggestions. Wildlife value and native status remain unchanged.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

6CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including KY

Genus host records with ranges including KY · Hydrocotyle

Elophila obliteralisWaterlily Leafcutter Moth
Enigmogramma basigeraPink-Washed Looper Moth
Herpetogramma bipunctalisSouthern Beet Webworm, Two-Spotted Herpetogramma
Papilio polyxenesBlack Swallowtail, Celery Caterpillar, Fennel Worm, Desert Black Swallowtail, Parsnip Swallowtail
Sparganothis sulfureanaSparganothis Fruitworm Moth, Sulfur Leafroller, False Yellow-Head
Spodoptera eridaniaSouthern Armyworm Moth

2BeesSoutheastern regional records

Southeastern regional records · Hydrocotyle

Individual names are not available yet.

0Specialist beesPollen specialists

3BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Hydrocotyle

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Growing sources and scope

Flower color · “Green or white” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Hardiness · “Zones 3a–7b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “2–10 inches” · Minnesota Wildflowers
Life cycle · “Perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Frequent standing water; Occasionally wet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Acidic to neutral” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

American Marsh Pennywort; American Water pennywort

In your garden

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