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| Category: Aquatic Plant |
| Family: Alismataceae (Water Plantains) |
| Origin: Pantropical |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Aquatic |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Sagittaria lancifolia (Aquatic) (Duck Potato) - This perennial arises with basal leaves to 3 feet tall from tuber-producing rhizomes. The leaves have long petioles and arrowhead shaped leaf blades to 10 inches long. Submerged leaves are lance-shaped or even bladeless. The ½ to 1 inch wide 3 petaled white flowers appear in late spring and summer. This is the most common arrowhead of eastern North America. It grows at low elevations in shallow water on the fringe of ponds, lakes, streams and wet ditches. Also called Duck Potato or Wapato because of its edible egg-shaped rhizomes. Native Americans cleared ponds of competing plants to locate and harvest the tubers in fall. The tubers were stored and cooked as needed, providing an excellent source of carbohydrates. The rhizome is also highly sought after by the West Indian Manatee.
The information about Sagittaria lancifolia displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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