Chinese Arrowhead, Grassy Arrowhead, Weatherby's arrowhead
Sagittaria graminea

Family: Alismataceae

What it is like

Sagittaria graminea is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Shallow water and muddy or sandy shores. Streams, lakes, and tidal areas from sea level to 700 metres.

Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Ontario, south to Texas and Florida.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Root - cooked. Contains 4 - 7% protein. Young shoots - cooked.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

A pond or bog garden plant, it requires a moist or wet loamy soil in a sunny position. Prefers shallow, still or slowly flowing water up to 30 - 60cm deep. The edible roots are commonly found in Chinese markets. There is some confusion over this name. The report that this plant is edible gives the name as S. sinensis and its range as Asia. However, the RHS Dictionary of Gardening says that S. sinensis is a synonym of S. graminea and that its range is Eastern N. America, whilst other reports say that it is a synonym of S. sagittifolia or S. trifolia. The Flora of N. America says that S. graminea does not produce corms but has coarse rhizomes, which suggests that the report of edibility does not really belong here.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in about 5cm of water. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and gradually increase the depth of water as the plants grow until it is about 5cm above the top of the pot. Plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Division of the tubers in spring or autumn. Easy. Runners potted up at any time in the growing season.

Best place to grow: Pond; Bog Garden;

Habit: Annual/Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Wet, water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Sagittaria sinensis. Sims.