Family: Alismataceae
arum-leaved arrow-head, northern arrow-head, wapato
[Sagittaria arifolia Nutt. ex J.G.Sm.]
Botanical Illustration
Robert W. Freckmann
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium (UWSP)
Etymology: Sagittaria: from Latin sagitta, "arrow," because of the leaf shape
Plants: erect or floating, perennial, 4"-24" tall, emergent aquatic
Leaves: long-stalked, arrow-shaped to long and narrow, lower lobes usually much shorter than the top lobe
Flowers: white, 3-parted, 1/4"-3/4" wide; inflorescence of 2-10 whorls of flowers, 1 to many stalks either erect or bending and often branched; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: dry, flattened, winged seed with a small, upright beak
Habitat: ponds, marshes; in muddy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect or floating, perennial, 4"-24" tall, emergent aquatic
Leaves: long-stalked, arrow-shaped to long and narrow, lower lobes usually much shorter than the top lobe
Flowers: white, 3-parted, 1/4"-3/4" wide; inflorescence of 2-10 whorls of flowers, 1 to many stalks either erect or bending and often branched; blooms July-Sept.
Fruits: dry, flattened, winged seed with a small, upright beak
Habitat: ponds, marshes; in muddy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Emergent, submerged or floating leaf aquatic herbs of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, floodplains and wetlands.
Frequent, but may be more common than is currently known. This species is highly variable in vegetative morphology and can easily resemble S. latifolia and, in southern Wisconsin, S. brevirostra. When in fruit, S. cuneata can be distinguished from S. latifolia by having broad achenes with a short beak arising from the apex, oriented parallel to the achene’s long axis. Achene resin gland present.
Frequent, but may be more common than is currently known. This species is highly variable in vegetative morphology and can easily resemble S. latifolia and, in southern Wisconsin, S. brevirostra. When in fruit, S. cuneata can be distinguished from S. latifolia by having broad achenes with a short beak arising from the apex, oriented parallel to the achene’s long axis. Achene resin gland present.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Robert W. Freckmann
Robert W. Freckmann
