Chrysosplenium americanum - Water Mat

Family:	Saxifragaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.1
Width:	0.5
Synonyms:
Range:	Central and Western N. America - Quebec to Minnesota, south to Nova Scotia and Montana.

Chrysosplenium americanum (Water Mat) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.1m and a width of 0.5m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Water Mat will flower in October to November. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Beetles, flies, self

Soil Information

Water Mat will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Water Mat prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Water Mat can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Acid soils[200] in springheads, rills and cold wet places[43]

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils if they are moist. Requires a constantly wet but well-drained soil[200]. Prefers acid soils[200]. Prefers a shady position, succeeding in woodland.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Used as a spice in salads[177].

• Condiment - the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame. Stand the pot in 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. 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 light shade in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

The plants creeping habit makes it a good ground cover for the bog garden[200].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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