Broad-leaved Waterplants
What are they?
Most plant species that are found growing around waterways and swamps typically have what we might call grass-like leaves; leaves that are long, thin and pointed - such as the sedges, cat-tails and rushes. However, there are some exceptions and this group pulls together other waterplants with broader leaves, though they are not necessarily closely related.
Where are they found?
These are plants of permanently or near-permanently wet ground, in marshes, swamps and along permanent water courses.
Identification
Generally a readily identified group, using features of leaf and flower, though some of the arrowheads can be tricky.
Slender Arrowhead Sagittaria teres
An uncommon species of mostly permanently wet areas and often found growing in standing water. Flowers late July to September. Usually quite readily identified by its combination of narrow, rush-like leaves and white flowers. An easily-overlooked plant when not in flower.
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Engelmann's Arrowhead Sagittaria engelmanniana
The commonest species of arrowhead in Cape May County, though be aware of the possibility of Broad-leaved Arrowhead plants with narrow leaves. Flowers late July to September. Most arrowheads have male and female flowers on separate plants but this species tends to have them on the same plant, with the male flowers carried at the top of the spike and the females lower down.
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| three-pronged leaf |
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Long-beaked Arrowhead Sagittaria australis
An uncommon species of mostly permanently wet areas and often found growing in standing water. Flowers late July to September.
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Broad-leaved Arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia
An uncommon species of mostly permanently wet areas and often found growing in standing water. Flowers late July to September.
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American Water-plantain Alisma subcordatum
Not uncommon in permanently moist ground of swamps, marshes and wet woods. Flowers June to September.
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fruiting head |
Pickerelweed Pontederia cordata
Common to abundant in wetland habitats and often forming extensive stands, especially along the banks of permanent waterways. When in flower, the mass of purple-blue flower spikes are easily identified. Flowers June to September. After flowering, the developing seed capsule bends downwards and buries itself in the mud.
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