| Etymology | Genus | After Antonio de Meca y Cardona, a Spanish patron of botany |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Lying on the ground; referring to its prostrate habit | |
| Family | Plantaginaceae | |
| Synonyms | Bacopa chamaedryoides (Kunth) Wettst., Erinus procumbens Mill., Monniera procumbens (Mill.) Kuntze | |
| Common Names | Baby Jump-Up | |
| Status | Exotic: Undetermined | |
| Form | Herb | |
| Native Distribution | USA, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, southwards to Chile & Argentina | |
Diagnostics:
A wildflower found occasionally in grass patches or drains, Mecardonia procumbens can be identified from its oppositely arranged serrated leaves, which is oval in shape. The stem is angled at 4 sides. The small bright yellow flowers and the fruits are encapsulated by the large persistent sepals.
Interesting Facts:
This is a new record for Singapore, with it being first published in a guide book by Kaw & Neo (2018). Their flowers resemble miniature versions of certain Viola species as known as Jump-Ups, hence their common names (Flowers of India, n.d.).
Creeping form growing from a crack in a monsoon drain.
Oppositely arranged, serrated leaves.
Yellow flowers.
Fruits or unopened flower encapsulated by the large sepals.
References
Kaw JB & Neo L (2018) Wayside Flowers of Singapore. Straits Times Press, Singapore. 192 pp.
Flowers of India (n.d.) Baby Jump Up. http://www.flowersofindia.net. Accessed 25-Nov-2018.
Author: Jake
Posted: 2018-11-26 / Modified: 2018-11-28