Arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia, Sp. Pl.: 993 (1753))

Family: Alismataceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 993 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sagittaria

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to Siberia and Caucasus

Description

Arrowhead, scientifically known as Sagittaria sagittifolia, is a perennial aquatic plant characterized by its distinctive arrow-shaped leaves, which have given it its common name. This fascinating plant is part of the Alismataceae family and is valued for both its ecological role in aquatic environments and its aesthetic contribution to water gardens and natural ponds.

Renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus first described Sagittaria sagittifolia in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753. The plant’s native range extends from Europe across to Siberia and the Caucasus, highlighting its adaptability to diverse climates and aquatic habitats.

In its natural environment, Arrowhead thrives in shallow water bodies such as ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams. The plant’s robust nature allows it to establish itself in both still and gently flowing waters, where its roots anchor firmly in the muddy substrate. The leaves of Sagittaria sagittifolia emerge from the water’s surface, creating a striking visual display with their unique shape that closely resembles an arrowhead.

Arrowhead plays a vital role in its ecosystem. Its presence helps to stabilize the aquatic environment, reducing erosion and providing shelter and breeding grounds for various species of fish and invertebrates. Additionally, the plant produces beautiful white flowers that feature three petals, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, thereby supporting local biodiversity.

Culturally, Arrowhead holds significance in various regions. In traditional medicinal practices, parts of the plant have been used for their potential health benefits. Moreover, in some Asian countries, the edible tubers of Sagittaria sagittifolia are harvested and consumed as a food source, offering nutritional value and flavor.

In contemporary gardening and landscape design, Arrowhead is appreciated for its ornamental qualities. Gardeners and landscape architects often incorporate it into water features and wetland restoration projects, recognizing its ability to enhance the ecological health and visual appeal of aquatic settings.

Overall, Arrowhead is a plant of remarkable ecological and cultural importance. Its unique leaf shape, ecological benefits, and adaptability make it a fascinating subject of study and appreciation in both natural and man-made aquatic environments.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig pilblad, pilblad
Fra: flèche-d’eau, sagittaire, sagittaire à feuilles en flèche, flèche d’eau
Deu: gewöhnliches pfeilkraut, pfeilkraut
Eng: hawaii arrowhead, old world arrowhead, arrowhead
Por: espadana, sagitária
Spa: flecha de agua, saeta de agua
Nor: piilgras
Nld: pijlkruid
Swe: pilblad, pystykeiholehti, vanligt pilblad
Nob: pilblad
Nno: pilblad
Fin: pystykeiholehti
Sme: ceakkoárennjunni
Cym: saeth y dwfr, saethlys, saethlys saethddeilaidd
En: Arrowhead, Old World arrowhead, Hawaii arrowhead, 慈姑, Arrow-head, Wapatoo
Ar: سهم الماء النموذجي
Hy: Նետախոտ նետախոտանման
Be: Стрэлкаліст звычайны
Bg: Обикновен стрелолист
Ca: Cua d’oreneta, Sagitària
Zh: 慈姑
Cs: Šípatka střelolistá
Da: Almindelig Pilblad, Pilblad
Nl: Pijlkruid
Et: Jõgi-kõõlusleht
Fi: Pystykeiholehti
Fr: Flèche d’eau, Flèche-d’eau, Sagittaire, Sagittaire à feuilles en flèche, Sagittaire à feuilles en coeur, Sagittaire à feuilles en cœur
De: Pfeilkraut, Gewöhnliches Pfeilkraut
He: ראש חץ
Hu: Nyílfű
Ga: Rinn saighde
It: Erba saetta, Sagittaria comune, Erba-saetta
Lt: Strėlialapė papliauška
Se: Ceakkoárennjunni
No: Pilblad, Piilgras
Nb: Pilblad
Nn: Pilblad
Pl: Strzałka wodna
Pt: Sagitária, Espadana
Pt-br: Seta-européia
Sk: Šípovka vodná
Es: Saeta de agua, Flecha de agua
Sv: Pilblad, Pystykeiholehti, Vanligt pilblad
Zh-tw: 慈姑
Zh-hant: 慈姑
Uk: Стрілиця звичайна
Cy: Saethlys, Saeth y Dwfr, Saethlys Saethddeilaidd
Fy: Snoekeblêd

Synonyms

• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. minor ((Mill.) Regel)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. angustifolia (Gaudin)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia subvar. pumila (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Sagittaria aquatica var. minor (Gray)
• Sagittaria lancifolia (E.Vilm.)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. arifolia (Rouy)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. angustissima (Boreau)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia f. xanthandra (Holmb.)
• Sagittaria vulgaris (Gueldenst.)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. aequiloba (Schur)
• Vallisneria bulbosa (Poir.)
• Sagittaria tenuior (Gand.)
• Sagittaria monoeca (Gilib.)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. terrestris (Bolle)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. heterophylla ((Schreb.) Schur)
• Sagittaria minor (Mill.)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia subvar. butomoides (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Alisma sagittaria (Stokes)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. bollei (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Sagitta aquatica ((Lam.) St.-Lag.)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. obtusa (Bolle)
• Sagittaria aquatica (Lam.)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. vallisneriifolia (Coss. & Germ.)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. divaricata (Schur)
• Sagittaria acuminata (Sm.)
• Sagitta major (Scop.)
• Sagittaria bulbosa ((Poir.) Donn)
• Sagitta palustris (Bubani)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. angustata (Tinant)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia f. vallisneriifolia ((Coss. & Germ.) Neuman)
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. stratiotes (Bolle)
• Sagittaria gigantea (E.Vilm.)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by etelka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by etelka (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2020 by Carolin Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2022 by francesco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2020 by Astrid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 1998 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 10, 2022 by Frank Sundermeyer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by lyrata glass (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 10, 2020 by lucy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Nov 1, 2020 by Houmgaor (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 28, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30074004-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5328882)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sagittaria sagittifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth