2. Bacopa Aubl.

About 56 species, nearly worldwide, most diverse in tropical and warm-temperate regions.

For a discussion of the potential segregation of this genus and its relatives from the Plantaginaceae, see the treatment of Gratiola. Steyermark (1963) included a second species for Missouri, B. acuminata (Walter) B.L. Rob., but that species currently is treated in the genus Mecardonia by most botanists, following Pennell (1946). For further discussion, see the treatment of Mecardonia.

A few species of Bacopa are cultivated as aquarium and pond plants, notably B monnieri (L.) Wettst. In Asia, the seeds of some species are ingested, purportedly to enhance memory function.