Lysimachia nummularia
Encyclopedia
Lysimachia nummularia is a low, creeping plant of the genus
Lysimachia
. It is commonly called Creeping Jenny, Moneywort, Herb Twopence and Twopenny grass.
, where it is considered an invasive species in some areas. It aggressively spreads in favorable conditions, such as low wet ground or near ponds, but is usually easily removed by hand pulling. It is available for planting in North America as a horticultural
item, and is usually offered as an accent plant, but must be used with care because it can spread rapidly and crowd out other plants. It makes a nice ground cover where the range of its growth can be limited, producing yellow flowers in early summer.
The plant is cold hardy in the continental United States and much of Europe, surviving lows of -40 degrees F.
for healing wounds. The plant contains a number of phenolic acid
s. In traditional Chinese Medicine
, Lysimachia (whole plant) is used to treat stone lin syndrome, which encompases gall stones and urinary bladder stones. Some practitioners are using this herb to battle painful gout symptoms.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Lysimachia
Lysimachia
Lysimachia is a genus of flowering plants. It is traditionally classified in the family Primulaceae but should, according to molecular phylogenetic study, be placed to the family Myrsinaceae .-Characteristics:...
. It is commonly called Creeping Jenny, Moneywort, Herb Twopence and Twopenny grass.
Distribution
It is native to Europe, but has been introduced to North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, where it is considered an invasive species in some areas. It aggressively spreads in favorable conditions, such as low wet ground or near ponds, but is usually easily removed by hand pulling. It is available for planting in North America as a horticultural
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
item, and is usually offered as an accent plant, but must be used with care because it can spread rapidly and crowd out other plants. It makes a nice ground cover where the range of its growth can be limited, producing yellow flowers in early summer.
The plant is cold hardy in the continental United States and much of Europe, surviving lows of -40 degrees F.
Characteristics
The cultivar 'Aurea' (golden creeping Jenny) has yellow leaves, and is somewhat less aggressive than the species.Traditional uses
Moneywort is used in herbalismHerbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
for healing wounds. The plant contains a number of phenolic acid
Phenolic acid
Phenolic acids are a type of organic compounds. Included in that class are substances containing a phenolic ring and an organic carboxylic acid function ....
s. In traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
, Lysimachia (whole plant) is used to treat stone lin syndrome, which encompases gall stones and urinary bladder stones. Some practitioners are using this herb to battle painful gout symptoms.