Identification
This native biennial has hairy stems and grows to 2 feet tall. Large, alternate, hairy, roughly triangular leaves are on long stalks. The maple-like leaves have 5-9 lobes, those at the base more deeply divided than the upper ones(C,E). Emerging leaves in the spring (B) have numerous white markings suggesting water spots, a feature responsible for common name of waterleaf. Clusters of tubular pale blue to purple flowers with 5 spreading lobes and 5 prominent stamens with dark anthers rise above the leaves (A,D). A close look at the triangular green sepals (calyces) on the back of the flower reveals two tiny triangular “ears” at the base of each calyx (F). The species name, appendiculatum, refers to these tiny appendages, unique to this species of waterleaf.
Found in moist woodlands, flowering in May and June. At Neale Woods, it is common in its moist, shaded ravines. It does not occur at Fontenelle Forest. In fact, in Nebraska it is known to occur only in northern Douglas and southern Washington counties, the two counties in which Neale Woods is located.
The lobed, hairier, maple-like leaves, and more open flowers with shorter, less prominent stamens, differentiate this plant from closely related Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum).
Other common names include Notchbract, Great and Appendiculated Waterleaf.
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