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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Sagittaria lancifolia ssp. media

Sagittaria lancifolia L. ssp. media (Micheli) Bogin

Bulltongue Arrowhead, Scythe-fruit Arrowhead

Alismataceae (Water-Plantain Family)

Synonym(s): Sagittaria falcata, Sagittaria lancifolia var. media

USDA Symbol: SALAM2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The genus gets its name from the arrow-shaped leaves of some species, though the leaves of S. lancifolia ssp. media are long and narrow. The flowers are quite distinctive, with 3 green sepals and 3 white petals, 1/4-1/2 inch long. The pistils often are flattened and form a tight, round green center. One or more species of Sagittaria can be found in ponds, swamps, muddy shallows, lazy streams, or even roadside ditches. The 3-petaled white flowers and the swampy locations are good clues to their identity. It is very difficult to distinguish one species from another.

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

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: White, rarely pink tinged.

Distribution

USA: AL , DE , FL , GA , LA , MD , MS , NC , OK , SC , TX , VA
Native Habitat: Mud, marshes, and shallow water throughout southeast and east Texas.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
Conditions Comments: Good for wetland gardens and habitat.

Benefit

Use Food: The tubers and young shoots which grow in the mud are said to have been a staple food of the Indians. Early settlers called them duck potatoes because they are a favorite food of ducks.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Bibliography

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

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Sagittaria lancifolia ssp. media in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Sagittaria lancifolia ssp. media in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Sagittaria lancifolia ssp. media

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-27
Research By: NPC

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