Herb: Western Waterleaf


Latin name: Hydrophyllum occidentale


Family: Hydrophyllaceae (Waterleaf Family)



Edible parts of Western Waterleaf:

Leaves - raw or cooked. Root - cooked. Used as a staple food by some native North American Indian tribes.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
50 cm
(1 foot)

Habitat of the herb:

Thickets, dense or open woods and moist open places.

Propagation of Western Waterleaf:

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in early spring. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Cultivation of the herb:

Thickets, dense or open woods and moist open places.

Medicinal use of Western Waterleaf:

None known

Known hazards of Hydrophyllum occidentale:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.