Virginia Waterleaf - Hydrophyllum virginianum

Above: Virginia Waterleaf in Madison, Wisconsin on May 23, 2019.

Virginia Waterleaf/Eastern Waterleaf - Hydrophyllum virginianum

The white, pink or pale blue flowers develop in dense spherical cymes (clusters of eight to 20 bell-shaped flowers) and appear in mid spring to early summer. Flowers exposed to sunlight bleach rapidly.

The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees, small carpenter bees, and other long-tongued bees that feed on its nectar.

Names include: Virginia Waterleaf, Eastern Waterleaf. The indigenous people of Wisconsin ate waterleaf; hence, the dated colloquial name, Shawnee salad; and also John's cabbage. And, because the leaves are good to eat when they are young and tender, some people still gather wild waterleaf (www.foragerchef.com).

Note: You should always consult a reputable field guide when foraging for edible wildflowers and plants to ensure proper identification and important preparation processes and precautions.

Above: Virginia Waterleaf in Madison, Wisconsin on May 30, 2019.

For more information on Virginia Waterleaf/Eastern Waterleaf, visit Wikipedia.

Or, visit the UW-Madison Master Gardener Program website page about Virginia Waterleaf.

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