Samolus parviflorus, Samolus valerandi var. parviflorus (Water Pimpernel, Seaside Brookweed)

Description

1′ Native Perennial with “lettuce green” white flowers from March to October attracting Bees, Butterflies and Dance Flies (Beneficial Insects). The leaves are reported to be edible both raw and cooked.   Closely related plant (Samolus valerandi var. valerandi) was considered one of the main magical and medicinal herbs of the Celtic People. It was used for kidney stones in humans and also to treat diseases in cows and pigs. The plants leaves are reputed to form a lather when cut and agitated in water. In Palestine, it has been used by the native Arab population to  launder clothes. They call it  sabūn ‘arab (= Arab soap). It is Native to AL , AR , AZ , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV. It is also native to NB, NS, and PE in Canada, Honduras, and Bolivia. We propagated our plants from native populations in Beaufort Co., SC. It is rare locally.  It is highly deer resistant. Plant in moist soil or in water. It is often planted under water in aquariums and ponds. It prefers neutral to basic soil. In our area it grows along the borders of salt marshes with freshwater seepage. It has been growing in the nursery for over 20 years. Its small size (basal rosette is small 3″-4″ wide, the stems are delicate,) Its deer resistance. It attracts beneficial insects. It makes a great companion to plants in pots or in the ground.  2024 is the first year, we are offering it for sale.

https://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/s/samolus-parviflorus=thin-leaf-brookweed.php