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Native Plant Database

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Echinodorus cordifolius (Creeping burrhead)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Echinodorus cordifolius (L.) Griseb.

Creeping burrhead, Lance-leaf Burhead, Radican Sword "Giant Mother Plant"

Alismataceae (Water-Plantain Family)

USDA Symbol: ECCO3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Another plant in the Water-Plantain Family, with blossoms resembling those of the arrowhead, grows under similar conditions: the burhead grows to 4 feet high and is often arched or lying on the ground.

Members of the Water-Plantain Family grow in water, in swamps, on muddy banks, or occasionally in wet sand. Each plant has long-petioled leaves in a clump with a flowering stem rising among them. The flowers have 3 green sepals, 3 white or pink-tinged petals, 6 or more stamens, and several pistils. Stamens and pistils may be in separate flowers.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Obtuse
Leaf Base: Cordate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: 1-2 feet.
Leaf: green
Flower: Flowers 12 mm
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Habitat: In mud and shallow water of ponds and quiet streams in East Texas. Sand, loam, or clay; moist soil or submerged in water.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Southern USA & MexicoCan be cultivated in a frost-free garden pond. This plant has a thick rhizome & dense root system. In an aquarium setting is best kept in a poor medium & low light to assure it remains submersed
Conditions Comments: A pond plant with delicate white flowers atop arching stalks, burhead is suitable to use in ponds or containers. It blooms steadily through the summer.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Echinodorus cordifolius in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Echinodorus cordifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Echinodorus cordifolius

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff, TMH, JSC

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