Lizard's Tail Saururus cernuus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- saw-roo-rus SER-new-us
- Description
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The common name Lizard's Tail comes from the appearance of the flowers and later the fruit. This plant occurs in swamps and shallow water and can be planted on the pond's edges or in the water (in containers). Plant in 2 to 5-gallon containers. This plant will form large colonies over time and can be propagated by seed or root division. The flowers, leaves and roots of this plant have a sassafrass or citrus aroma. Emergent wetland plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Major insect pests or disease issues do not really occur with this plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Saururus
- Species:
- cernuus
- Family:
- Saururaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North American (eastern)
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant provides cover for wood ducks.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Water Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Green and looks like a wart. In North Carolina, the fruits are available from August to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Long, narrow racemes opposite a leaf of nodding 4-6" (they can get as long as 12") spikes. These flowers' tips droop. The white flowers are on the small side, but they are fragrant and a bit showy. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from May to September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Deltoid
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 3-6" bright green, lance-shaped to triangular with heart-shaped base. Palmately veined.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Erect, zig-zag stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Heavy Shade
- Insect Pests
- Wet Soil
