Primulaceae Lysimachia: Alternative Names and Differences from Pennywort

Lysimachia is a common Chinese medicinal herb, mainly found in shady environments in southern and southwestern China, with diuretic, stone-dissolving, blood-activating, and stasis-dispersing effects. The Lysimachia plant is relatively short, with opposite ovate to nearly round leaves, somewhat similar in appearance to pennywort. Let's take a look below at the alternative names of Primulaceae Lysimachia and what differences it has from pennywort.

I. What are the alternative names of Primulaceae Lysimachia?

The alternative names of Lysimachia include large Lysimachia, opposite-leaf grass, roadside yellow, and everywhere yellow. It is mainly distributed in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, southern Shaanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian and other regions, growing along ditches, in shady damp places by roadsides, and under forest on mountain slopes.

II. What differences are there between Lysimachia and pennywort?

1. Different family and genus

Lysimachia belongs to the Primulaceae family, Lysimachia genus. Pennywort belongs to the Hydrocotyloideae subfamily, Hydrocotyle genus.

2. Different distribution areas

Lysimachia is produced in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, southern Shaanxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian.

Pennywort is produced in Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan and other places in China.

3. Different appearance

Lysimachia has opposite leaves in relatively many shapes, with lobes that are lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, and smooth edges.

Pennywort has relatively thin leaves that are round-reniform, with lobes that are broad-ovate or triangular, edges with irregular serrations, and a heart-shaped base.

4. Different flowering and fruiting periods

The flowering period of Lysimachia is May to July, and the fruiting period is July to October.

The flowering and fruiting period of pennywort is May to November.

5. Growth habits

Pennywort likes to grow in shady and damp places.

Pennywort prefers warm and humid conditions. For cultivation, semi-shade or shaded spots are best, and direct sunlight should be avoided. It is not particular about soil; loose, well-draining soil is best, or it can be grown directly in water. The optimum water temperature is 22-28 degrees. It is shade-tolerant, moisture-tolerant, slightly drought-tolerant, highly adaptable, vigorous by nature, easy to plant, and fast to propagate. It can grow both in water and on land.

6. Different effects

Lysimachia is a commonly used folk herbal medicine, with effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting urination and expelling stones.

Although pennywort can also clear heat and detoxify, it also has effects such as relieving pain, promoting diuresis, and treating abdominal pain, difficult urination, and eczema.

In summary, Lysimachia is not the pennywort we are familiar with. The pennywort we generally grow in pots is a plant with round leaves that likes to grow in places with water. Grown in pots at home, it also looks very nice, and it is relatively easy to care for. We generally do not grow Lysimachia in pots. Lysimachia can also be brewed in water to drink, but generally it should not be brewed casually. It needs to be done under a doctor's guidance to avoid serious consequences.