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Lance-leaved Arrowhead Sagittaria lancifolia subsp. media

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Lance-leaved Arrowhead:

Previously known as:

  • Sagittaria lancifolia var. media
Phonetic Spelling
saj-ee-TAR-ee-uh lan-sih-FOH-lee-uh MEED-ee-uh
Description

Lance-leaved Arrowood is a native perennial typically found in marshes and swamps along the coast from Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas. It grows in both freshwater and brackish tidal marshes. The roots are rhizomes and need to be submerged in water. 

The long lance-shaped leaves and distinctive 3-petaled flowers make this an attractive plant for water gardens. It should not be allowed to dry out.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#tuberous#stream banks#NC native#swamps#pond garden#marshes#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#tuberous#stream banks#NC native#swamps#pond garden#marshes#food source summer#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#Coastal OBL#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#Piedmont Mountains OBL#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#Audubon
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sagittaria
    Species:
    lancifolia
    Family:
    Alismataceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Tubers were eaten by Native Americans
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    SE USA
    Distribution:
    AL, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TX, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    Deer resistant. Waterfowl eat the tubers
    Edibility:
    Rhizomes are edible
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Water Plant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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 Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is small oval achenes and winged from August to November.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Separate male and female flowers. They grow in whorls of 3 in racemes and have 3 green sepals and 3 white petals, 1/4-1/2 inch long. The pistils on female flowers are flattened and form a tight, round green center. Male flowers have 6 yellow stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 3 feet long green leaves. Apex acuminate, base cuneate, venation parallel, glabrous
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Long thick spongy petioles
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil