Plantago cordata

This unusual semi-aquatic native is found in woodland rocky stream beds and similar habitats, usually in alkaline soils. Surprisingly, it has been quite happy growing at the edge of our garden pool. Despite being native from Canada south, including a few disjunct populations in Georgia and Florida, it is quite rare and has been proposed as a Federal Endangered species...at which point, we can no longer ship it. In form, it resembles a long-stalked skunk cabbage with cordate leaves on long petioles, forming an attractive, bold-textured, 18" wide clump, topped with 18" non-impressive flower spikes in June. This is really a cute plant, and one that will stump your gardening friends. In addition to being edible, it reportedly cures a wide range of ailments from snakebites to congested swellings and low scrofulous ulcers.