SafePlants

Dentella repens: Creeping Dentella

Dentella repens, commonly known as Creeping Dentella or Creeping Lickstoop, is a member of the Rubiaceae family (madder, bedstraw, or coffee family). The genus name Dentella comes from the Greek "dentos," referring to the toothed corolla. The species name repens means "spreading," referring to its growth habit.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Dentella repens (L.) J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
• Family: Rubiaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
• Synonyms:
  • Hedyotis repens (L.) Lam.
  • Oldenlandia repens L.
• Species Authority: (L.) J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
• Alternative Scientific Names:
  • Oldenlandia repens Linn.
  • Dentella matsudai Hayata
  • D. repens (Linn.) J. R. et G. Forst. var. grandis

Distribution and Habitat

Dentella repens occurs throughout most of Asia south to Australasia, from Sri Lanka east through India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal. Although not native to India, it can now be seen growing wild there.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• D. repens is a small, creeping annual or perennial herb that can grow up to 30 cm tall.
• It has prostrate stems that are abundantly rooting and strongly branched, forming mats.
• Leaves are elliptic or oblong.

Genetic and Cytological Information

Embryological features of the tetraploid species Dentella repens are essentially identical to those of Dentella serpyllifolia.

Traditional Uses

• The leaves of Dentella repens have been traditionally used to purify the blood and to improve eyesight damaged due to high blood sugar.

Further Information

• Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk project (PIER) (http://www.hear.org/pier/)
• Tropicos
• China
• IPCN
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• List of Threatened Species http://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Discover Life
• Plant Illustrations