Practical
Plants

Chrysosplenium americanum

Water Mat

a perennial member of the Chrysosplenium genus in the family Saxifragaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Beetles, Flies, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Beetles, Flies, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Used as a spice in salads[1].

Product or use
Condiment

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plants creeping habit makes it a good ground cover for the bog garden[2].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Central and Western N. America - Quebec to Minnesota, south to Nova Scotia and Montana.
Habitat
Acid soils[2] in springheads, rills and cold wet places[3]
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame. Stand the pot in 2cm of water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils if they are moist. Requires a constantly wet but well-drained soil[2]. Prefers acid soils[2]. Prefers a shady position, succeeding in woodland.

References

  1. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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