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
- var. parviflora
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. parviflora
- var. parviflora
- var. parviflora
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Water Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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-
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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The ripe achenes may float for several days dispersing long distances.
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Triangular
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Water Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Weedy
