Description

Bacopa aquatic herbs are often, Oh raised postrado, generally shaped dotted-glandular. They have opposite leaves, inserted directly into the stem or branch, or interchangeably with petioles. It is a popular plant for freshwater aquariums, because of its ability to grow in water. They can also develop and grow in slightly brackish water. The spread is generally performed by fragments of plant cuttings called.

characteristics

It is a plant with characteristics herbaceous, maintained over time and underwater. Bacopa is originally from different countries in Asia, often in Southeast, in marshlands. Currently this plant is cultivated in other countries, mainly tropical and subtropical areas. In the same way, in places that resemble their natural habitat you may find it, that is to say, as in aquariums or bog gardens. The vegetative stems are smooth without presence of hair (glabros), and creeping roots that become a form of dense meadows grass. Instead, fertile stems are ascending or erect. Their actions may reach 50 Y 60 cm. Its leaves are bulky, fleshy, oval and elongated, light green color, and measure more or less 2 cm long. The flowers have a white color violet with four or 5 petals, They are isolated in the leaf axils, only one at each node. The fruits have an ovoid capsule four 6mm.

Types of Bacopa

In nature we can find different types of Bacopa, some really popular acuariofilia:

Bacopa Monnieri

It is a traditional plant culture and  "traditional medicine" of India known as Ayurveda. Traditionally this medicine, It has been used to treat asthma and epilepsy. This plant It has a great capacity to grow in water, which makes splendid and very standard in aquariums. Its leaves are oblanceolate. In countries like India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, Vietnam has seen this plant grow in swampy areas. It can also be found in Florida and other states in the southern US.

Bacopa caroliniana

It is a plant that It has a fleshy stem, It is vigorous and energetic, aquatic, although it can also grow on earth. Bacopa caroliniana You can measure around half a meter high and even more. From nature, in its aerial part it has opposite leaves, seated, slightly bulky and fleshy, lanceolate with an oval shape and shade green apple or yellowish green. The flowers emerge on the leaf axils. These flowers are very characteristic violet shades pink or blue. Bacopa caroliniana is an aquatic plant or stem palustre. It belongs to the family of escrofulariáceas. This type of plant comprises about 2.500 herbaceous species with features and shrubs, which can measure around half a meter high and even more.

Bacopa Myriophylloides

Bacopa Myriophylloides It is one of the most unique aquatic species of Bacopa. His thin sheets make it look like a member of the genus Myriophyllum, but still it is a Bacopa. This type of Bacopa Myriophylloides prefer a level of illumination in a midrange, however it can tolerate high illumination. Ideally, Bacopa myriophylloides must use to add a different texture to the aquarium plants. It originated in South America. In the aquarium should be placed in rear position, with a minimum temperature of 22 ° C and a maximum temperature of 28ºC. Support medium and high light, with water hardness between soft and medium.

Bacopa properties

While we are here talking about the Bacopa, as aquarium plant, It is worth to mention the properties that have made it one of the most famous medicinal plants for alternative treatments.

It helps to improve mental functions

It helps improve memory, concentration and learning. Studies performed well demonstrated. Thanks to the substances contained and allow actively encourage enzymes restoring synaptic activity, mechanism without which it could not function the nervous system and optimizes the transmission of nerve impulses in the brain

It works as an antioxidant

Supports and protects astrocytes and fibroblasts against toxic as glutamate, the aluminum, nitric oxide and beta-amyloid protein.

It is an adaptogen

One of the properties of the Bacopa monnieri, it is the ability to improve processes to adapt to acute and chronic stress, modulating the activity of certain enzymes involved in response to stress. It is a very useful plant for anxiety and depression.

It helps to improve memory capabilities

University Australia, conducted research to determine that Bacopa consumption has positive effects on learning, as it helps to minimize the percentage of forgetting recently acquired information, which is located in the visual and verbal short-term memory.

It serves to reduce stress

According to nutrition experts, Bacopa can help improve the activity of certain enzymes that cause stress response; which reduces the effects of this emotion in the body.

Distribution and habitat

North American native, This plant can be found in swampy areas of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan and Vietnam. You can also find varieties of Bacopa in areas of Florida and other southern states of the United States, in areas where it is grown in humid conditions such as lakes and marshes gardens. Bacopa species They are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly in the Americas. A few Bacopas are considered weeds in their natural state. Most grow in humid environments conditions, although some like Bacopa Myriophylloides are totally aquatic.

Aquarium conditions

The Bacopa are beautiful stem plants, ideal to form groups on the back or middle of the aquarium.

illumination

Medium to very high. It requires intense lighting for proper development.

Media Type

Without any preference. It grows well in most soils, either sandy or gravelly. You need a nutritious substrate and a subscriber with the necessary nutrients macros and micros, Iron is essential. He likes a nutritious substrate thin or medium grain, in large granule substrate not take root well. See substrate for aquaria.

Reproduction

Easy, They are amphibious plants or submerged, very strong. grows 5 a 10 cm al mes. Multiplication is easily accomplished by stem fragments (cuttings).

Flowering period

From June to October, It is generally multiplied by cuttings.

Pictures and photos of Bacopa