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Bacopa (monnieri)

Kim Martz and Forest Starr
Biologists
USDI USFWS - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge,1082 Makepono St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
http://www.ggnpa.org

Family Scientific Name: Scrophulariaceae
Family Common Name: Figwort Family
Scientific Name: Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell
Common Synonym: Bramia monnieri (L.) Drake
Common Name: 'Ae 'ae
Species Code: BACMON
Ecotype: Hawaii
General Distribution: Bacopa monnieri is indigenous to Hawai'i and is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. In Hawai'i, it occurs in coastal areas on mud flats, sand, bare calcareous sandstone, rocks,
marshes, or shores of brackish streams, 0-230 m. Historically known from Midway Atoll
but not observed there since 1933 by V. J. Meagher. Found on all of the main islands
except Kaho'olawe. Now frequently cultivated in many places as a ground cover or water
plant.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: vegetative
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 3.5 in Containerized cutting
Time To Grow: 6 Months
Target Specifications: Height: N/A<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm root plug in container.<br>
Propagule Collection: For collection of native plants to propagate by cuttings, you will
need: gloves, clippers, zip-lock or plastic garbage bag for collection, and some water.
Collect plants from the site, taking care to take only what you need. Collect from areas
that have a large enough population so that damage will be minimal. Gently pull or cut
strands of plants from main patch. Place in trash bag or plastic bag. Add a small amount
of water to bag and store in a dry, cool, shady area.
Propagule Processing: Cuttings can be stored overnight, but immediate propagation following collection is best.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Work in a shady area once back in the nursery. Use clean 3 «"
pots arranged in tray. Use well drained potting mix. Fill pots about 1/3 full. Cut plants
into desired lengths, at least 3 nodes per strand (6 to 8 inches in length). Place about 3 strands in each pot. This is done because the success rate for cuttings is usually not 100%
but more like 75-80% and so using a few strands per pot increases the likelihood that at
least 1 strand per pot will be successful.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Cuttings are water daily. Cuttings need to be kept in a moist humid environment. In the nursery, this
can be achieved by misting plants several times during the day to keep them moist.
Potting media is Sunshine Mix potting soil, and is used in a 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 (v:v) potting soil to sand ratio. Do not use beach sand.
Establishment Phase: Plants will begin to develop roots as early as a couple weeks and will be ready for out-
planting from 2 to 6 months.
Length of Establishment Phase: 1 month
Active Growth Phase: The nursery's irrigation system is comprised of sprinkler heads which are
manually operated. The sprinklers are misters and should be maintained so that they flow
freely. Potted plants are watered daily, either in the morning or the evening.

Diseases and insects are controlled by removing them manually off plants, sticky traps or using a solution of soapy water.
Be sure to rinse soapy solution off plants after a few hours. Row covers physically prevent insects and birds from landing on plants.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 1 to 5 months
Other Comments: It has also been successfully propagated by cuttings by placing strands about 50 cm long in buckets of water.Replace water in
buckets weekly. Roots will begin to show in 2-3 weeks. Plants will be ready to out-plant
in about 2 months.
References: Bornhorst, H. L. 1996. Growing native Hawaiian plants, a how-to guide for the
gardener. The Bess Press, Inc., Hong Kong.
Bruegmann, M. M. 1998. Report on a botanical survey of Midway Atoll, April 1-7,
1995. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Christophersen, E. and E. L. Caum. 1931.
Vascular Plants of the Leeward Island.
Hawai'i. Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 81, Tanager Expedition Publication
Number 7, Honolulu.
Lilleeng-Rosenberger, K. date unknown. Propagation techniques for native Hawaiian
plants. National Tropical Botanical Garden.
Morin, M. and S. Conant. 1998. Laysan Island ecosystem restoration plan. University
of Hawai'i.
Neal, M. C. 1965. In gardens of Hawai'i. Bishop Museum Press, special publication 50,
Honolulu.
Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of
Hawai'i, 2 vols. Bishop Museum Special Publication 83, Honolulu.
Whistler, W. A. 1992. Flowers of the Pacific island seashore. University of Hawai'i
Press, Honolulu.
Zimmerman, M. W. 1994.

Citation:

Martz, Kim; Starr, Forest. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell plants 3.5 in Containerized cutting; USDI USFWS - Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Honolulu, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/19). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.