Virginia waterleaf, Indian salad, Shawnee salad
Hydrophyllum virginianum
Family: Boraginaceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows 20-80 cm tall. The leaves are alternate. They are 10-20 cm long and can be mottled green. They are divided along the leaf into 3-7 broad lobes. There are coarse teeth along the edge.
Also put in the family Hydrophyllaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in rich woods and damp clearings. It suits hardiness zones 4-7.
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The young leaves, picked before the flower appears can be boiled for 5-10 minutes in 1 or 2 changes of water then served with vinegar. The roots can be used to make a tea drink.
Edible parts
Leaves, roots - tea
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Eastern waterleaf