This picture shows a good example of how different plants adapt to different levels in a wetland environment. Sagittaria, the leafy plant at the edge of the water, is clearly adapted to a wetter (lower) level the the tall, darker bulrushes in the background. Both plants make great marginal specimens in a water garden or a garden pond.
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. It was a staple of Native American diets.
The single leaves grow upright on 18" to 36" stems. In the late summer, a single flower stalk appears bearing several 4-petaled 1 inch diameter white blossoms with a yellow "button" center.
The bulrushes are in better shape. They are common all over the west.
This picture was taken at Mirror Pond at the foot of Crown Point in Rooster Rock State Park, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.
Ash Creek Images
Photographs of the West by Doug Gorsline
Sagittaria Latifolia and Bulrushes in Bloom at Mirror Pond, Rooster Rock Park.
