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Hydrophyllum capitatum - Douglas. ex Benth.

Common Name Cat's Breeches, Ballhead waterleaf, Alpine waterleaf, Thompson's waterleaf
Family Hydrophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich moist soils, most often in the shade, from valleys to around 2,700 metres[212].
Range Western N. America - Alberta to British Columbia, south to Oregon and Colorado.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Hydrophyllum capitatum Cat


Hydrophyllum capitatum Cat

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Hydrophyllum capitatum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Tender young shoots - cooked as a potherb[207, 212]. Root - cooked[207]. Large and fleshy[212].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist humus-rich soil in semi-shade[200]. Grows well in an open woodland garden[200]. The leaves are shaped in such a way that they collect rainwater in a cavity[212]. Slugs are particularly fond of this plant and will soon destroy it if given a chance[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in early spring. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Hydrophyllum canadenseJohn's Cabbage, Bluntleaf waterleafPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHSM30 
Hydrophyllum occidentaleWestern WaterleafPerennial0.5 -  LMHSM30 
Hydrophyllum tenuipesPacific WaterleafPerennial0.8 -  LMHSM20 
Hydrophyllum virginianumVirginia Waterleaf, Eastern waterleafPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHSM31 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Douglas. ex Benth.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Marilyn   Fri Sep 1 2006

We know this plant as "woolen britches" in parts of Idaho.

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Subject : Hydrophyllum capitatum  
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