Sagittaria latifolia

Broadleaf Arrowhead · Common Arrowhead · Duck Potato

Family AlismataceaeGenus Sagittaria

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Habit: Herbaceous Perennial, Water PlantExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit: tuberous geophytePlants of the World Online
Height: 1-4.7 ft0.3-1.4 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread: 1-3.7 ft0.3-1.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower: WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms: Fall, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range: Alabama, Alberta, Arkansas, Bolivia, British Columbia, California and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones: 5-10Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Sun: Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil: Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture: Frequent Standing Water, Moist, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering: Drought tolerance: NonePLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Its starchy tubers are called duck potatoes; at least fifteen kinds of ducks, and snapping turtles, seek them out. Wapato is one of its Cree names. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Sagittaria latifolia
Sagitta is Latin for arrow, for the shape of the leaves. Native Americans are said to have opened muskrat houses to get at the stored roots. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Sagittaria latifolia

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 56 days to germinate.

67% germination in 14–56 days.

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials