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Cressler, Alan

Peltandra virginica

Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott

Tuckahoe, Green Arrow Arum, Arrow Arum, Green Arum

Araceae (Arum Family)

Synonym(s): Peltandra tharpii

USDA Symbol: PEVI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Aquatic plant with large, long-stalked fleshy leaves and a green, wavy-margined, tapering, leaf-like spathe curled around a rod-like spadix. Green arrow-arum is a slow-spreading, 2-3 ft. aquatic perennial with large, oblong to broadly triangular, bright-green, basal leaves. The inflorescence is a yellow spadix surrounded by a greenish-white spathe occuring atop a statuesque stalk. Blackish berries follow.

This aquatic is especially common in and along shallow waterways, where it may occur in large colonies. The genus name derives from the Greek pelte ("small shield") and aner ("stamen"), referring to the shield-like contour of stamens. The common name, arrow arum, of course, derives from the pronounced leaf shape, while the name, tuckahoe, is derived from the Algonquin name for the plant.

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Green.
Fruit: Green, Black.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: May flower fall and winter in extreme southern part of range.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Native Distribution: S. ME to MI & IA, s. to FL & LA
Native Habitat: Pineland swamps; shallow waters

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Mud, Shallow water.
Conditions Comments: This water plant is not subject to wildlife depredation.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Water garden, bog, or pond area. Does not aggressively colonize in a water garden the way many aquatic plants do.
Use Wildlife: The berries of arrow arum attract wood ducks and king rails.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Cuttings
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL		OBL		OBL	OBL		OBL	OBL	OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

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

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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