Delta arrowhead (Sagittaria graminea, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 190 (1803))

Family: Alismataceae

Author: Michx.

Bibliography: Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 190 (1803)

Year: 1803

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sagittaria

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: E. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A., W. Cuba

Description

The Delta arrowhead, scientifically known as Sagittaria graminea, is a fascinating aquatic plant native to various regions including Eastern Canada, Central and Eastern United States, and parts of Western Cuba. Described by Michx. in 1803 and chronicled in “Flora Boreali-Americana,” this species is a notable member of the Alismataceae family.

Characterized by its distinctive arrow-shaped leaves, the Delta arrowhead thrives in wetland habitats. It is commonly found along the edges of freshwater bodies such as marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams. This adaptability to different aquatic environments highlights its importance within the ecosystems it inhabits.

The plant typically features slender, grass-like leaves that can vary in length, providing a lush green appearance that contributes to its common name. The foliage of Sagittaria graminea performs a crucial role in stabilizing the substrate while offering shelter and breeding grounds for various aquatic creatures.

Flowering during the warmer months, the Delta arrowhead produces delicate white flowers with three petals each, often seen rising above the water’s surface on tall stalks. These flowers attract pollinators such as bees, which play an essential role in the plant’s reproductive cycle. Following pollination, the plant produces small, achene fruits that facilitate seed dispersal, ensuring the propagation of future generations.

In addition to its ecological significance, the Delta arrowhead also holds aesthetic value for water garden enthusiasts. Its elegant form and resilience make it a popular choice for ornamental ponds and naturalized water features.

Overall, Sagittaria graminea is a vital species within the aquatic plant community, contributing to both biodiversity and the visual appeal of the environments it graces.

Common Names

Eng: coastal arrowhead, delta arrowhead, grass-leaf arrowhead, grassy arrowhead, slender arrowhead, grass-leaved arrowhead
Fra: sagittaire a feuilles de graminees, sagittaire à feuilles de graminée, sagittaire à feuilles de graminées, sagittaire graminoïde
Deu: grasblättriges pfeilkraut
Swe: gräspilblad
En: Delta arrowhead, Grass-leaf arrowhead, Coastal arrowhead, Slender arrowhead, Grassy arrowhead, Chinese arrowhead, Grassleaf arrowhead, Grass-leaved Arrowhead
Ar: سهم الماء النجيلي
Cs: Šípatka trávolistá
Nl: Graspijlkruid
Fr: Sagittaire graminoïde, Sagittaire a feuilles de graminees, Sagittaire à feuilles de Graminée, Sagittaire à feuilles de graminées
De: Grasblättriges Pfeilkraut
Pt-br: Erva-seta
Sv: Gräspilblad

Synonyms

• Sagitta graminea ((Michx.) Nieuwl.)
• Diphorea graminea ((Michx.) Raf.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Apr 18, 2019 by Jakub Remeň (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 25, 2019 by Tela Botanica − France Rosmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − WVU Herbarium (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 25, 2019 by Tela Botanica − France Rosmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 23, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Minkwitz Gebhard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Annett Kriesel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by Elias F (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 9, 2020 by Rachel O (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2021 by Tom Teets (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2021 by Reinhard Hampel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Vidya Vidya Krishnan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2022 by Erika Miller (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5329038)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:225249-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sagittaria graminea Michx.)

Specifications

Growth