Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.) Small

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: Siyang
Posted: 2018-11-26 / Modified: 2018-11-28


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