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Hydrophyllum virginianum - L.

Common Name Virginia Waterleaf, Eastern waterleaf
Family Hydrophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich woods and damp clearings[43].
Range Eastern N. America - Quebec and New England to Virginia, west to Tennessee and Kansas.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia Waterleaf, Eastern waterleaf


Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia Waterleaf, Eastern waterleaf
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Hydrophyllum virginianum is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from July to August. 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

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[2, 61]. A bland flavour[159]. The mild-tasting and tender young leaves make a pleasant addition to the salad bowl[183, K], whilst older leaves make a good spinach[183]. Only use when young, they become bitter with age[159].

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.
Astringent  Dysentery

A tea made from the roots is astringent, it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery etc[222]. A decoction, or the chewed root, has been used as a wash for cracked lips and sore mouths[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moist humus-rich soil in semi-shade[200]. Slugs are particularly fond of this plant and will soon destroy it if given a chance[K]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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 Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec (south), Ontario (south), Manitoba (southeast), United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (east), Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska (east), North Dakota (e. & s.-c.), Oklahoma (east), South Dakota (east), Wisconsin, Arkansas (north), Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee (east), Virginia, District of Columbia,

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 capitatumCat's Breeches, Ballhead waterleaf, Alpine waterleaf, Thompson's waterleafPerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSM30 
Hydrophyllum occidentaleWestern WaterleafPerennial0.5 -  LMHSM30 
Hydrophyllum tenuipesPacific WaterleafPerennial0.8 -  LMHSM20 

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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