Water Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri). It belongs to Plantaginaceae and is non-native, and is in S.D. Co.
It has been introduced from Asia.

Medicine

This plant has a number of uses in Ayurveda, as one of the herbs used in Rasayanas. It is a traditional treatment for epilepsy and asthma. It has antioxidant properties, reducing oxidation of fats in the bloodstream.[5] However, anti-epilepsy properties seem to be in very high toxic and near lethal doses, so it's only used—at much lower non-toxic dosage—as an additive to regular epilepsy medication. Studies in humans show that an extract of the plant has anti-anxiety effects.

It is listed as a nootropic, a drug that enhances cognitive ability. In India, this plant has also been used traditionally to consecrate newborn babies in the belief that it will open the gateway of intelligence. Laboratory studies on rats indicate that extracts of the plant improve memory capacity[7] and motor learning ability.[5] Recent studies suggest bacopa may improve intellectual activity.[8][9][10] The sulfhydryl and polyphenol components of Bacopa monniera extract have also been shown to impact the oxidative stress cascade by scavenging reactive oxygen species, inhibiting lipoxygenase activity and reducing divalent metals.[11] This mechanism of action may explain the effect of Bacopa monniera extract in reducing beta amyloid deposits in mice with Alzheimer's disease.[11] B. monnieri has a demonstrated ability to reverse diazepam-induced amnesia in the Morris water maze test. The mechanism of this action is unknown.[12] In some trials, bacopacide extract did not restore or enhance memory formation, but improved retention.[13][14] In others including a randomized clinical trial of 98 healthy older people (over 55 years)Bacopa significantly improved memory acquisition and retention.[15]

B. monniera has antifungal activity against the dermatophytic fungi namely Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum.

Its many active compounds include: alkaloids (brahmine and herpestine), saponins (d-mannitol and hersaponin, acid A, and monnierin), flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin). Also in significant amounts: betulic acid, stigmastarol, beta-sitosterol, bacopasaponins (bacosides A, bacosides B, bacopaside II, bacopaside I, bacopaside X, bacopasaponin C, bacopaside N2 and the minor components were bacopasaponin F, bacopasaponin E, bacopaside N1, bacopaside III, bacopaside IV, and bacopaside V). In rats, bacosides A enhance antioxidant defenses, increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity.

Brahmi, can enhance immune function by increasing immunoglobulin production. It may regulate antibody production by augmenting both Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.

Toxicity

When a preparation of the plant was evaluated for safety and tolerability it showed no adverse effects but there were some reports of mild gastrointestinal symptoms.

Cuisine

It is used in Vietnamese cuisine, where it is called raung . It is used in cháo cá, a variety of rice congee made with fish and nấm tràm mushrooms.

Phytoremediation

Bacopa monnieri is a known hyperaccumulator of cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury, and as such can be used for phytoremediation.