Ellisiophyllum pinnatum aka Ellisiophyllum

Ellisiophyllum pinnatum is a low plant in the Plantaginaceae family. Its common names include ellisiophyllum and pinnate ellisiophyllum. Its native range runs from the central Himalaya to Japan. It also includes the Philippines and New Guinea. Recorded native countries include Bhutan, China and India. It grows in shade within forests and beside streams. Kew places it in the subtropical climate zone. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

In gardens, this plant forms a dense, spreading mat. It reaches just 0.17–0.25 feet (0.05–0.08 metres) in height. Its spread reaches 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 metres). Creeping stems take root where their nodes touch the ground. This gives it a much wider spread than height. Missouri Botanical Garden describes it as a herbaceous perennial. Kew instead records its life form as a subshrub. Both descriptions concern the same species, despite this difference.

The pinnate leaves give the plant its species name. Each leaf has lobed leaflets with an oval or oblong outline. The leaflets measure about 0.08–0.17 feet (0.025–0.05 metres) long. Together, the leaves make a close cover over the soil. Small white flowers rise above this leafy mat in summer. Each flower has five petals and a star-like shape. Bloom runs from June through August. The many flowers make a showy display across the foliage.

Grow it in partial shade or full shade. It does well in damp, shaded places with moist soil. The soil should also drain well rather than hold standing water. Missouri Botanical Garden lists its water needs as medium. It rates the plant for USDA zones 7–9. The same source describes it as easy to grow. Its maintenance needs are low. These needs suit a shaded bed where soil stays moist.

Use it as ground cover in shaded garden areas. It also suits borders and rock gardens with suitable shade. Its creeping growth can spread over rocks beside a planting. Pond and stream edges offer other uses in the landscape. Hanging baskets and containers can also hold its trailing growth. Missouri Botanical Garden reports no known serious insect or disease problems. The supplied sources give no evidence about edibility or toxicity.