Family: Apiaceae
Centella asiatica, commonly known as Asiatic pennywort or gotu kola, is a low-growing, creeping herb native to tropical regions of Asia. It has small, round to kidney-shaped green leaves and spreads by slender runners that root wherever they touch the soil. Asiatic pennywort is widely used as a medicinal plant in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine and is also grown as a groundcover or potted plant in gardens due to its lush, spreading appearance and preference for moist conditions.
Despite its useful qualities, Asiatic pennywort can pose ecological risks outside its native range. It spreads rapidly by runners and can form dense mats, especially in wet or disturbed areas such as streambanks, lawns, and garden beds. Once established, it may outcompete low-growing native plants and is difficult to remove completely because small fragments can resprout. Care should be taken to prevent its escape into natural areas, and planting near waterways or unmanaged landscapes is discouraged.
High Risk Traits:
- Spreads aggressively by runners (stolons), allowing it to form dense mats
- Thrives in wet, disturbed, and low-lying areas, including wetlands and stream edges
- Tolerates a wide range of conditions, from full sun to partial shade
- Can outcompete low-growing native plants by smothering the ground layer
- Difficult to eradicate once established, as fragments can resprout
- Often escapes cultivation when planted as a groundcover or medicinal herb
Low Risk Traits:
- Low growing and non-woody, with no risk of becoming a large tree or shrub
- Not known to produce thorns, toxins, or allergens of concern to people or animals
- Valued for medicinal, culinary, and ornamental uses, especially in traditional medicine
- Does not increase fire risk, due to its moist, creeping growth form
- Easily contained in pots or managed landscapes with regular maintenance
