great waterleaf
ExplorePlants
great waterleaf
Hydrophyllum appendiculatum
Great waterleaf is a lovely plant with big, soft leaves that can grow in shady places. It blooms with pretty flowers that attract butterflies and bees, making it a special part of nature.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The great waterleaf has soft, hairy stems and deeply lobed, palm-shaped leaves that resemble large hands, often with distinct silvery or white markings when young. Its clusters of small, bell-shaped, lavender-to-purple flowers bloom atop the plant.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderBoraginalesFamilyHydrophyllaceaeGenusHydrophyllum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Early pollinators like queen bumblebees flock to its purple flowers, eagerly collecting nectar after winter.
Its name, Hydrophyllum, literally means 'water leaf' because its leaves appear to hold water droplets!
Look closely! Tiny hairs on its leaves can trap dewdrops, making them sparkle like they're covered in diamonds!
Native Americans once used the young, tender leaves of great waterleaf as a delicious wild spring vegetable!
Special abilities
Ability
Water-Droplet Wonder
Great waterleaf has unique leaf hairs that trap water droplets, making them shimmer and helping the plant stay hydrated.
Ability
Understory Racer
Great waterleaf can grow very quickly in spring to capture sunlight before the forest canopy fully shades the ground.
Ability
Rhizome Spreader
Great waterleaf has underground stems called rhizomes that help it spread and create new plants without needing seeds.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-60 cm
- Spread
- 30-45 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
honeybee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.
pollinates
common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens
One of the earliest bees to visit its blooms.
eaten by
white-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer browse on its tender spring foliage.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is great waterleaf?
30-60 cm
How wide does great waterleaf spread?
30-45 cm
How big are the flowers on great waterleaf?
1-2 cm
When does great waterleaf bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is great waterleaf edible?
Yes
Is great waterleaf toxic?
None
What is great waterleaf's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is great waterleaf pollinated?
Insect
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