Mapleleaf Waterleaf Hydrophyllum canadense
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- hy-droh-FIL-um ka-na-DEN-see
- Description
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Although there are several common names for this plant, broad-leaf waterleaf is the most common name for this perennial in the Boraginaceae (borage) family. The common name maple-leaf waterleaf comes from the shape of its palmate leaves.
Though it is not particularly rare in North Carolina it is considered imperiled to vulnerable farther south and in parts of New England. This woodland perennial is found in moist, high organic matter forests, bottom lands, edges of forests, thickets, and along rocky stream banks. It has scaly rhizomes from which it forms colonies.
This native has two types of leaves basal and stem leaves. In late spring to mid summer, several white to lavender blossoms growing in a cluster are difficult to spot but can be see growing beneath the uppermost leaves. Hairy filaments give the cluster a fuzzy appearance. The clusters of blooms have been said to resemble an exquisite lace work.
The basal leaves often remain on the plant if adequate moisture is provided and so it makes an excellent choice as a groundcover for a shady spot in a native garden. The blooms attract bees making it a welcome addition to a pollinator garden or let it form its own colonies in a naturalized area of the landscape.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Hydrophyllum
- Species:
- canadense
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used the root medicinally.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- AL, DC, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV, Ontario, Qubec
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts native bees and bumblebees.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Shade
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Dry globular bright green capsule fruits with stiff black hairs 4 mm split when ripe
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Cup
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Axillary clusters found beneath stem leaves, 5 white with pink or purple tinged hairy petals fused into a cup, bell or tube shape 7-11 mm. 5 stamens much longer than the petals. Bloom appears from May-July
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Two types of simple alternate leaves: basal are oblong to elliptic deeply pinnately lobed and narrow at the base with 7-11 lobes, toothe margins, 4 to 10 inches long. Sparse stiff stright hairs on upper surface while the lowers is smooth. Young leaves have a mottled pattern of silver. Stem leaves ovate to almost circular, palmate to with 5 to 9 shallow lobes that taper from a broad base, 2 to 12 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth to sparse stiff downward curving hairs.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil