Short-Beaked Arrow Leaf
Sagittaria brevirosta
Family: Alismataceae
What it is like
Sagittaria brevirosta is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from July to September. 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.
Height (m): 1.2
Where it is found
Sloughs and wet shores. Slightly basic to slightly acidic to alkaline waters of ponds, lakes, and swamps at elevations of 100 - 1800 metres.
Eastern N. America - Indiana and Illinois, south to Kansas and Oklahoma.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Root - cooked.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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 flowers are monoecious. They are produced in whorls of three with a male flower at the top and two female flowers at the bottom.
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: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Wet, water