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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
great waterleaf
Photo: Mason Brock (Masebrock)Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade tolerant trait badgespring blooming trait badge
great waterleaf

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

4

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

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 to identify great waterleaf?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

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

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