Bacopa

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Bacopa
Bacopa rotundifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Plantaginaceae Genus: Bacopa

The Bacopa is a genus of 70 - 100 aquatic plants belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. Commonly known as Water Hyssop.

Contents 1 Description 2 Uses 2.1 Neurochemical effects 3 Species 4 Confusion with 5 Cultivation 6 See also

[edit] Description

They are annual or perennial, decumbent or erect stemmed plants. The leaves are opposite or whorled, sessile. Leaf blade regular, round to linear, venation palmate or pinnate. Stems hairy or smooth. The flowers are produced solitary or in pairs from leaf axil, usually radially symmetrical, sepals 5, petals 5, usually white, blue or purple in color. Dispersal and propagation is by seeds and stem fragments. Crushed leaves have a distinctive 'lemon' scent.

[edit] Uses

B. monnieri is important in ayurvedic medicine and has been used, particularly in India, for several thousand years.

Bacopa monniera is a member of the Scrophulariaceae family, grown mostly in India. Its many active compounds include: alkaloids (brahmine and herpestine), saponins (d-mannitol and hersaponin, acid A, and monnierin), flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin). Also in significant amounts: betulic acid, stigmastarol, beta-sitosterol, bacopasaponins (bacosides A, bacosides B, bacopaside II, bacopaside I, bacopaside X, bacopasaponin C, bacopaside N2 and the minor components were bacopasaponin F, bacopasaponin E, bacopaside N1, bacopaside III, bacopaside IV, and bacopaside V).

[edit] Neurochemical effects

• Bacosides A:
  • Enhances the body’s antioxidant defenses (increases superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities)^{[citation needed]}
  • Maintains the structural and functional integrity of the mitochondrial membrane (by inhibiting excessive lipid peroxidation & creatine kinase, improving the activities of ATPases, and maintaining the ionic equilibrium.)(PMID 16050806)
  • Protects gastrointestinal health (by raising mucosal defensive factors)^{[citation needed]}
• Bacopasaponin C:
  • Has an inhibitory effect against parasites (anti-leishmanial properties)^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Species

The species in the Bacopa genus include:

• Bacopa australis
• Bacopa Cabana
• Bacopa caroliniana (lemon bacopa, blue water hyssop, giant bacopa)
• Bacopa crenata
• Bacopa madagascariensis
• Bacopa monnieri (water hyssop, moneywort, herb of grace)
• Bacopa myriophylloides

and are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly America. A few are regarded as weeds and excess stock should not be dumped in warmer regions. Most grow in moist amphibious conditions, though some like B. myriophylloides seem to be wholly aquatic.

[edit] Confusion with

A South African ground cover plant sometimes sold in garden centres as Bacopa ‘Snowflake’ (white flowers) or ’Blue Showers’ (blue flowers) - or other similar names - are actually varieties of Sutera cordata a tender perennial.

[edit] Cultivation

Some of these species are commonly used in freshwater aquariums and around and in ponds in warmer climes. Most are easy to grow and are slow-growing, but require medium to high amounts of light. Most are easy to grow and will tolerate a wide range of water conditions. B. caroliniana at least will tolerate brackish water. Plants are usually best planted in groups in the middle to background. Algal infestation can be a problem in brighter lighting conditions.

[edit] See also

List of freshwater aquarium plant species