Hydrophyllum virginianum - Virginia Waterleaf

Family:	Hydrophyllaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Width:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Quebec and New England to Virginia, west to Tennessee and Kansas.

Hydrophyllum virginianum (Virginia Waterleaf) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m and a width of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 4and is vunerable to frost.
Virginia Waterleaf will flower in November. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Virginia Waterleaf 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
Virginia Waterleaf prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Rich woods and damp clearings[43].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

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].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
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].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
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].

• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

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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