Hi all,
But then again, on the same website you can see that we have hydrocotyle vulgaris here in the Azores and it is also very similar.
Certainly could be,
Hydrocotyle spp. are similar in appearance to
Umbilicus spp., because they both have peltate leaves, we have
H. vulgaris in the UK as well.
The easiest way would be by habitat,
H. vulgaris grows in wet, open places, often where the water levels fluctuates, like along the edge of ponds where they are often submerged.
Umbillicus grows in drier, shady places, often out of dry stone walls.
They also belong to different families so if traces of flowers remain that would be useful,
Hydrocotyle is an Umbellifer (Apiaceae), and has a very reduced umbel of flowers at floor level and U. rupestris has a long, upright spike of tubular flowers. Also
H. vulgaris has shiny leaves, and
U. rupestris dull leaves, and yours look quite shiny.
The leaves of
Hydrocotyle will come from a rhizome, but
Umbilicus they will come from a central point.
I have tried
H. vulgaris in the aquarium, but it didn't enjoy life, I'm not sure whether it was too warm, or whether it didn't enjoy being constantly submerged.
cheers Darrel
