Because of it's dramatic, arrow-shaped leaves, sagittaria makes a great specimen in a garden pond or a water garden. This easy-to-grow plant can be planted directly in the muck or kept in a container. It thrives in shallow water but will tolerate being above the water line in the late summer. Sagittaria can be found at better nurseries or shops that specialize in pond plants.
Sagittaria latifolia was once widespread in the Pacific Northwest, but, due to the destruction of habitat, it is now scarce. It has several common names including arrowleaf, duck potato, and wapato. Sagittaria grows, often in masses, in shallow, quiet water. The single leaves grow upright on 18" to 36" stems. Displays 4-petaled 1 inch diameter white flowers in late summer.
Ash Creek Images
Photographs of the West by Doug Gorsline
Two Wapato (Sagittaria latifolia) Leaves Backlit by the Evening Sun.
