Re: hydrocotyle vs cardamine

["Robert H" <robertph3 at attbi_com>]

>>Hello,
I have a dumb question: how do I tell the difference between cardamine
and hydrocotyle?  They look the same to me in pictures.
thanx,
Lori<<

Depends on which specie of Hydrocotyle... but in general Hydrocotyle has
larger leaves, bigger around, more heart shaped, and fleshier leaves than
cardamine. Cardamine leaves are somewhat serrated on the edges, thinner and
smaller. It's stems are also thinner. Cardamine seems to prefer cooler
water. Here is a pic of Cardamine I had growing a couple of years ago:

http://www.aquabotanic.com/rph_gallery/rph6.jpg

Here is a pic from Chuck Gadd of Hydrocotyle, (Pennywort)

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/h_leuco010300a.jpg

Hydrocotle may also be a bit darker green in color.

Hope this helps

Robert Paul Hudson
www.aquabotanic.com
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