Description

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A tall, spindly, many-branched aquatic with small white (rarely pink) flowers in whorls. In this typical emergent aquatic, the lower part is often submerged, while the upper part is exposed. Leaves formed underwater are ribbon-like and soon rot; they are seldom seen on adult plants. The bulb-like base of several species of Alisma was dried and eaten by Native Americans.

Members of the Water-Plantain Family grow in water, in swamps, on muddy banks, or occasionally in wet sand. Each plant has long-petioled leaves in a clump with a flowering stem rising among them. The flowers have 3 green sepals, 3 white or pink-tinged petals, 6 or more stamens, and several pistils. Stamens and pistils may be in separate flowers.

Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: MB , NB , ON , QC
Native Distribution: Manitoba east to New Brunswick, south to Georgia, west to Texas, and north to North Dakota; also in New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Oregon.
Native Habitat: Shallow, freshwater marshes, sluggish streams, ponds, and lakes.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Benefit
Use Food: Submerged root-like structure is edible; it was dried and eaten by First Nations People. (Niering)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

For Shipping, Install and additional info please see “About Bare Root“.

Native bare root perennials are dug and shipped while dormant, mid October to early spring.

See all available Native Bare Root Perennials

Check the native status of this species for your area via the USDA Plants Database here.