Hydrophyllum virginianum – Botanically Inclined

Asclepias exaltata and other happenings

Propagation, Wildflowers of North America

A couple of days ago I found seeds of Asclepias exaltata germinated/overgrown within the moist towel I used for cold/moist stratification; reason why I don’t like to use this method too much (a great space saver though). When using moist vermiculite the roots have the possibility to grow in/attach and even feed a bit from the vermiculite.
Of course it is my fault I didn’t keep a good eye on the seeds. I managed to gently extract a few of the seedlings and planted them right away.

Asclepias exaltata germinated seeds

Asclepias exaltata seedlings

I probably showed this woodland Asclepias before, but the milkweeds are never enough :) and this one is indeed scarce in my region (SW Ontario). For this reason, I always collect selectively only few seeds and there are never enough for sale.

I am trying to produce more for my native woodland corner to address the issue, plus, to keep the pollinators happy! They are easy to grow, my 3 years old plant (grown from seeds) will flower this year. Meanwhile for those that need a remainder, this is the Poke milkweed.

Asclepias exaltata, Poke milkweed, flowering usually in late June

Speaking of something else, Hydrophyllum virginianum has a nice show in the woods right now, and also in my garden. The bumblebees are happy. Also flowering, Conopholis americana while Viola pubescens capsules are getting closer to maturity.

Hydrophyllum virginianum

And, Erythronium americanum capsules have been collected; this is one of the best collections I’ve done so far. The seeds will be available in the Seeds Shop next week.

Erythronium americanum capsules

June 8, 2018

The waterleafs – to each its place

Propagation, Wildflowers of North America

Hydrophyllum virginianum and Hydrophyllum canadense

Among the Crocuses, reticulate Irises, Corydalis and Hepatica in my garden, the young foliage of the waterleafs also appeared last week: H. virginianum (Virginia waterleaf) and H. canadense (Blunt-leaved waterleaf, maple leaf waterleaf).

It makes sense because these species are among the first to carpet the forest floor in eastern North America before the trees leaf out. The foliage in early spring is very attractive with white/silver spots, hence the common name; it will later turn to green.

Hydrophyllum virginianum – early spring foliage

Hydrophyllum canadense

For H. virginianum, soon after the foliage turns green, the helicoidal inflorescences with ciliate calyces start unfolding to reveal the bell shaped flowers with exerted stamens in a wide range of colours from deep lavender to white. Hydrophyllum canadense flowers later and the white flowers remain hidden under the foliage; a pity, they are so pretty!

Hydrophyllum virginianum

Hydrophyllum canadense flowers

Equally important to their attractiveness, the waterleafs are considered as plants with ‘Special value to Native bees’ by pollination ecologists because they attract a large number of native bees. In my forest walks I rarely see a H. virginianum which is not foraged by the bumble bees.

They also have been used as medicinal plants and the young leaves/shoots are edible (other common name for H. virginianum = Shawnee salad)

H. virginianum grows in part-shade/shade deciduous forests; Hydrophyllum canadense is more common in flood plains forests and along streams.
Both spread by rhizomes and will form colonies; reason why some call them ‘weedy’. In any case, under dry shade you don’t need to worry for H. virginianum.
On the other hand, if a low maintenance ground cover is desired, in proper conditions they can do the job. Actually the ‘weedy’ H. canadense is listed as extremely rare or threatened in few US states.

To each its place….

Let me ask you a question now– with all the buzz and fuss about the pollinator plants, in how many gardens have you seen waterleafs cultivated ?

For Hydrophyllum spp. germination info please read: Lost in translation
The fruits mature gradually and split up when ripen; they are not among the easiest seeds to collect.

April 27, 2018

Wildflowers Monday – Hydrophyllum virginianum

Plant portraits, Wildflowers of North America

It’s in the details

Conspicuously silver-marked, pinnate leaves which are among the first to appear early in the spring:

Hydrophyllum virginianum – early spring foliage

Curled flower buds with ciliate calyces which resemble an exquisite lace work; opening to reveal white or purple bell-shaped flowers with exerted stamens:

Hydrophyllum virginianum flowers

…recognized by pollination ecologists as very valuable because they attract large numbers of native bees. They must be delicious – often foraged by the bumblebees long after their prime:

Bumblebee on Hydrophyllum virginianum

Hydrophyllum virginianum grows very well in dry, shade conditions of hardwood forests, bottomlands and edges of the woods. Excellent as a groundcover in difficult shady areas and for naturalization projects. Although considered a bit weedy, I noticed that it is not capable to compete with the non-native invasive species, which are spreading in the remnants woodlots between newly developed residential areas.

Another Hydrophyllum that will save your time (and back) from weeding in the shady, moist areas of the garden, is the Broad-leaf waterleaf – Hydrophyllum canadense.