What Is the Difference Between Dichondra repens and Lysimachia christinae? A Quick Guide to Telling Them Apart
Dichondra repens, also known as small lysimachia and golden key, is a common medicinal herb among the Miao people and has an effect in treating hepatitis. So what is the difference between Dichondra repens and Lysimachia christinae?
Difference one: different appearance
The stem of Dichondra repens is slender, covered with gray short soft hairs, and roots at the nodes. The leaves are kidney-shaped to round, 4-25 mm in diameter, with a broadly rounded or slightly notched tip and a broad heart-shaped base; the leaf surface is slightly hairy, the underside is covered with appressed short soft hairs, and the margin is entire; it has long petioles, with petioles (1.5)3-5(6) cm long.
The upright part of Lysimachia christinae is 8-37 cm tall. Except for the stipules, bracts, and flower stalks, which are hairless, all other parts are covered with sparse or dense recurved soft hairs; the hairs are white or purple, and sometimes the leaf underside has hairs with purple wart-like bases. After the stem nodes touch the soil, they readily produce fibrous roots. The leaves are thin, round-kidney-shaped, 2.5-7 cm long and 3-8 cm wide; the upper surface is dark green and the underside is light green, palmately 5-7-lobed; the lobes are broadly ovate or nearly triangular, with irregular sharp serrations or blunt teeth on the margin, and a heart-shaped base; the petioles are 4-23 cm long; the stipules are membranous, ovate or broadly ovate.
Difference two: different leaves
The leaves of Dichondra repens have a notch and closely resemble a horse's hoof in shape; the leaves of Lysimachia christinae are rounder. Lysimachia christinae is used for ornamental purposes and is also known as pennywort. Its leaf blades are a complete circle with no notch. It is an ornamental plant, very delicate and elegant, suitable for growing in half-water, half-soil conditions.
Difference three: different medicinal properties
Dichondra repens also has many medicinal properties. Its pharmacological effects are also numerous, and according to its dosage and usage, the pharmacological effects differ accordingly. First, when Dichondra repens is extracted and used for pain relief, you will find that it has an analgesic effect. Furthermore, if you mix the extract of Dichondra repens with its petroleum ether extract, it can inhibit inflammation, edema, and the like, so it can be seen that it has a certain anti-inflammatory effect.
If a small dose of Dichondra repens extract is used on immune organs, you will also find that Dichondra repens increases the weight of immune organs and improves the immune system.
Finally, the greatest use of Dichondra repens is its anti-cancer effect, which can help people reduce the chance of developing cancer. So Dichondra repens is of great benefit to the human body. Loving a plant like this is also loving ourselves!
Lysimachia christinae is also a common traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Its medicinal functions include preventing stones and promoting gallbladder function and expelling stones, so it can be said to have very good therapeutic and preventive effects on stones. It also clears heat and detoxifies, and has therapeutic effects on swelling and bruises. The entire plant of Lysimachia christinae can be used as medicine.
Lysimachia christinae is mainly used internally; after being decocted, it can be drunk, and it can treat both external and internal injuries.