Moneywort/Creeping Jenny
​Lysimachia nummularia
Sometimes called creeping Jenny or creepy yellow loosestrife, moneywort is a water-loving invasive species. Native to Eurasia, it can be found in wetlands, in wet meadows, and along the banks and shores of streams, rivers, and lakes. That being said, it is not a true aquatic species. 

Moneywort is a common addition in planters and baskets that are displayed outdoors. This is often the cause of escape - either directly from the display pot or when they are disposed of on location at the end of the season. As its name suggests, moneywort "creeps" along the ground, forming low, dense mats which eventually crowd out any competing species. 

Bright, yellow flowers bloom from mid-summer though August. The leaves are very distinct and resemble small coins, opposite from one another. 
Photo credits: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, bugwood.org | Shaun Winterton, Aquarium and Pond Plants of the World, Edition 3, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org | Candace Madonna, TheSpruce.com
Learn More About Moneywort:
Moneywort Facts
  • Spreads vegetatively but small fragments can be broken-off and spread via water as well. 
  • When conducting restoration efforts, native grasses have been shown to outcompete moneywort.
  • There is still much to learn about its ecological impact but most states list moneywort as an invasive due to its rapid growth and the formation of dense mats, especially along waterways.  
Management Options
  • Hand pulling is likely the best option, where applicable. It is imperative that as much of the root system is removed. Also avoid breaking fragments off of the plant which could resprout or be moved to a new location.  
  • Herbicides have not been found to be a successful treatment option.