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Broadleaf Arrowhead

Sagittaria latifolia

Also listed as Sagittaria esculenta, Sagittaria longirostra

Also known as Common Arrowhead, Wapato, Duck-potato

herbaceous☀️ full sun💧💧💧 high water❄ Hardy: Zone 3b – Zone 11b

Climate Match for your location

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A wetland perennial with distinctive arrow-shaped leaves and small white flowers borne on tall spikes. It thrives in shallow water and is ideal for pond margins and water gardens.

Why grow it

Broadleaf arrowhead is a reliable native choice for temperate wetland margins where water depth ranges from 6 to 18 inches. It produces edible tubers and attracts waterfowl and pollinators, making it useful in wildlife-focused water gardens. Compared to other Sagittaria species, S. latifolia tolerates cooler climates and slightly deeper water conditions, though it is less aggressive than some aquatic arrow-heads in contained settings.

Watch out for

This plant spreads readily through both tuber production and seed dispersal in suitable conditions, so placement and monitoring are important in smaller pond systems. Foliage can become dense and may require thinning to maintain water circulation and prevent stagnation. Tubers can be harvested for food, but care should be taken during collection to avoid excessive disturbance of established plantings.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
1–4.9′ tall × 1–2′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Family
Alismataceae
EdibleErosion control

Native to the United States

Native Range

North America

Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Edible Parts

rootseed

Season of Interest

Summer

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Companion Planting

Plants well with