Sagittaria latifolia Care Guide
Sagittaria latifolia is a robust North American emergent with arrow-shaped leaves, suited to ponds and marginal plantings.
Overview
Sagittaria latifolia, the common arrowhead or duck potato, is an emergent wetland plant from North and northern South America. It produces distinctive arrow-shaped leaves and forms dense colonies on very wet soils. It tolerates a wide temperature range and is a classic pond and marginal plant.
Taxonomy
- Family: Alismataceae
- Genus: Sagittaria
- Scientific name: Sagittaria latifolia
- Common synonyms: Common Arrowhead, Duck Potato
Habitat
The species ranges from southern Canada through the United States, Mexico and Central America, and has naturalised in parts of Europe, Hawaii and Australia. It grows in ponds, swamps and shallow water as an emergent, forming dense stands. Plants typically reach 60-120 cm tall, with arrow-shaped leaves 10-50 cm long and white flowers in whorls of three, blooming July to September.
Tank requirements
- Placement: background / margin, emersed growth
- Temperature: 8-26 °C (46-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-8.0
- GH: 4-20 °dGH
- Lighting: high
- CO2: not required
- Mature height: up to about 100 cm
Growth and propagation
This is a fast-growing plant that spreads via runners (stolons) at or just below the soil surface and produces starchy tubers in late summer. The tubers, traditionally harvested and eaten by Native American groups, give the plant its 'duck potato' name. In cultivation it is propagated by runners and division.