Virginia
Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum). A
very attractive flower that can form large colonies
near streams. Although Gray says the name Hydrophyllum
(Greek for “Waterleaf”) is “of no obvious
application,” other observers trace the name to the
whitish blotches that may appear on the leaves,
looking like water stains.
Hydrophyllum canadense
Appendaged
Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum appendiculatum).
A somewhat uncommon plant in western Pennsylvania. It
blooms from May into early June. To judge by the way
it grew here in Beechview, it likes moist soil at the
edge of the woods. The family resemblance to the more
common Virginia Waterleaf is obvious, but the flowers
of Appendaged Waterleaf are a middle blue or
blue-violet color, and the leaves are maple-shaped.