Hydrocotyle leucocephala

At the last garden club meeting, Robyn showed me a plant that she was told was Gotu Kola  that was quite different to the plant -Centella asiatica - that that I apply this common name to. Indeed another member of the club was also of this opinion.

Whilst the 2 plants look similar the "correct"  gotu kola is Centella asiatica
and the plant that Robin showed me  was  Hydrocotyle leucocephala. This once again illustrates the problem  using common names.   When you Google gotu kola  images, it is evident that there is at least two plants being called this name commonly.

Hydrocotyle leucocephala is also called Brazillian pennywort and is an aquatic or semi-aquatic plant with light green and thick waxy leaves. It seems to be a popular aquarium plant.  The leaves are reported to be edible with a peppery taste.  
Pubmed had only one entry for this plant. In this study the plant was found to have various chemicals that have an immunosuppresive activity against cytokines such as TNF-alpha.   This is an important part of our immune system and is crucial in infection and inflammation. However it is also involved in such diseases as Rheumatoid Arthritis  and is targeted medically with some very expensive drugs.

Centella asiatica

Hydrocotyle leucocephala

I have previously written about Centella asiatica and it's considerable potential medical activity  (July 12).
Incidentally, Robyn was the person who got me interested in edible weeds with her discussion with Anne about Gotu kola being effective for arthritis a couple of years ago.