Planting and Growing the Eastern Waterleaf

The Eastern waterleaf is also known as Virginia waterleaf and Shawnee salad. It is from the waterleaf family of plants and is native to the United States. Botanically, it is named Hydrophyllum virginianum.

Eastern Waterleaf Description

A perennial flowering plant, the Eastern waterleaf grows one foot tall. It has white or deep violet bell-like flowers in clusters. Leaves are broad, triangular, and lobed. Flowers are above the leaves with a bloom season between May and June. There is a whitish color over the leaves that look like a water stain. It can grow quite aggressively and is low maintenance.

Growing Guide

This perennial prefers to grow in partial shade or full shade conditions with a moist soil nearly neutral in pH. Propagate by division or by seed. Division is the easier method, divide in the fall. Seed need to be stored in damp cold prior to sowing.

Distribution

This native is found in the states of Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. It is seen in moist clearings and shady flood plains.

Classification

Kingdom Plantae- Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta- Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta- Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta- Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida- Dicotyledons

Subclass Asteridae

Order Solanales

Family Hydrophyllaceae- Waterleaf family

Genus Hydrophyllum L.- waterleaf

Species Hydrophyllum virginianum L.- eastern waterleaf

Source: NPIN, PlantsDatabase