Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)

Broadleaf Arrowhead

(Sagittaria latifolia)

Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)

Laura J. Costello

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Laura J. Costello

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Sagittaria latifolia, commonly known as Broadleaf Arrowhead, is a deciduous perennial herb that thrives in wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, and the edges of ponds and streams across the Americas, including North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean. This plant is highly variable in size, ranging from 2 to 20 meters (6.6 to 65.6 ft) in length, and typically forms dense colonies that can cover significant areas. Broadleaf Arrowhead is notable for its arrow-shaped leaves and the production of white tubers with a purplish skin, which are edible and can be found some distance from the parent plant. The plant’s inflorescence is a raceme with large, showy flowers whorled by threes, with female flowers on the lower part and male flowers above, or on separate plants in dioecious individuals. The flowers feature three round, white petals and three short, curved, dark green sepals. Male flowers are distinguished by their 25 to 50 yellow stamens, while female flowers have a cluster of green carpels.

Broadleaf Arrowhead is valued for its ornamental flowers and its ability to naturalize in wetland gardens, providing habitat for wildlife. It is often used in water gardens, rain gardens, and for erosion control along waterways. This plant requires full sun to part shade, consistently moist to wet soil, and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they are not dry. While generally easy to maintain, it can become invasive in some areas, spreading aggressively by its tubers and seeds. Gardeners should be aware of its potential to spread when planting in small ponds or confined spaces.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1-4 feet
Width: 1-3 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: High
Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, and the edges of ponds and streams

Other Names

Common Names: Common Arrowhead, Duck-Potato, Indian Potato, Katniss, Bredbladet Pilblad, Breitblättriges Pfeilkraut, Sagittaire Latifoliée, Breed Pijlkruid, Bredpilblad, Wapato, Duck Potato

Scientific Names: , Sagittaria latifolia, Sagittaria variabilis, Sagittaria latifolia var. latifolia, Sagittaria latifolia var. pubescens, Sagittaria latifolia f. gracilis, Sagittaria longirostra, Sagittaria latifolia var. obtusa, Sagittaria latifolia f. hastata, Sagittaria obtusa

GBIF Accepted Name: Sagittaria latifolia Willd.