Virginia waterleaf

plant

Also known as: Hydrophyllum virginianum, John’s cabbage, Shawnee-salad(Show More)

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July 23, 2026

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Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) is a perennial herb native to damp woodlands in eastern North America. It is characterized by pinnate leaves that often have whitish patches, resembling watermarks, which give the genus its name.12

This plant produces clusters of small, showy white to violet flowers on a tall stalk. The tender young shoots of Virginia waterleaf are edible and have been consumed cooked or in salads, earning it names like "Shawnee salad" and "John's cabbage". Some species of waterleaf are also cultivated in wildflower gardens for their attractive foliage and blooms.12

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waterleaf
5-foot-) tall Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum), with five- to seven-lobed leaves; it is also called Shawnee salad and John’s cabbage in reference to the edible tender young shoots. The large-leaved waterleaf (H. macrophyllum) is similar to the Virginia waterleaf but is rough and hairy and about 60…
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5-foot-) tall Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum), with five- to seven-lobed leaves; it is also called Shawnee salad and John’s cabbage in reference to the edible tender young shoots. The large-leaved waterleaf (H. macrophyllum) is similar to the Virginia waterleaf but is rough and hairy and about 60…
Read More