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European Water Plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
uh-LISS-muh plan-TA-go a-KWA-tee-kuh
Description

Prefers very shallow water but will grow in up to 18 inches; plant in 1 to 2 gallon container; sun to partial shade; can become very weedy in ponds.  It is found on mud or in fresh waters of lakes, rivers, and brackish water bays especially on grazed shores, ditches, ponds.  It starts flowering in June and flowers throughout the summer but individual flowers are short-lived.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. parviflora
var. parviflora
Tags:
#water garden#pond garden#dried arrangements#wet soils tolerant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • var. parviflora
var. parviflora
Tags:
#water garden#pond garden#dried arrangements#wet soils tolerant#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Alisma
    Species:
    plantago-aquatica
    Family:
    Alismataceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe and Asia, Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Water Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    The ripe achenes may float for several days dispersing long distances.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Three round or slightly jagged, white, pink pale purple petals. The flowers open in the afternoon from June-September. There are 3 blunt green sepals, and 6 stamens per flower. Flowers in whorled groups forming a narrowing (cone-like) raceme.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    basal long stemmed leaves (3–10 in.) long. Blades ovate, with rounded or cordate bases. Submerged leaves may be strap-like.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Triangular
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Water Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy