Wetland and Aquatic Plants of Oklahoma

Interactive Keys: Emergent

White Flowers

     1. Flower with 3 petals
           a. Alisma spp.
           b. Sagittaria spp.
           c. Echinodorus spp.

Water plantains (Alismataceae)

Water plantain (Alisma subcordatum Raf.)
Native perennial.
                                                                                                                                                                  click on thumbail to enlarge
Alisma subcordatum map

Note: Unlike other species in this family, water-plantain has a profuse number of small flowers in wispy panicles. The seeds (achenes) and roots are eaten by numerous bird species. The Cherokee prepared a poultice to treat sores, wounds and bruises. The root was also used to treat bowel troubles.

NWI status: OBL.

Duck potatoes or arrowheads (Sagittaria spp.)

Note: The seeds (achenes) of these species are eaten by numerous bird species. One quarter of North American arrowheads produce a starchy tuber which is eaten by waterfowl, muskrats, and beaver will eat the tubers. Native Americans and white settlers also ate the tuber. However, the milky sap of the tuber is bitter, but can be neutralized by boiling. All species are native perennials.

NWI status: All arrowheads are designated as OBL.

Plants with broadleaves resembling arrowheads

Shortbeak arrowhead (Sagittaria brevirostra Mackenzie & Bush)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria brevirostra map

Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata Sheldon)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria cuneata map

Note: The prepared tuber was often mixed into Cheyenne medicinal preparations.

Duck potato (Sagittaria latifolia Willd.)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria latifolia map

Narrowleaf duck potato (Sagittaria longiloba Engelm. ex J.G. Sm.)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria longiloba map

Note: This attractive species can be easily identified by the long tapering lobes on the leaves.

Plants with oval or strap-like leaves

Kansas arrowhead   (Sagittaria ambigua J.G. Sm.)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria ambigua map

Note: The flower stalk (pedicel) of this species is ascending. Look for scattered, small protuberances (papillae) on the leaf-like structures (bracts) at the base of the flower stalks (pedicels).

Grassy arrowhead (Sagittaria graminea Michx.)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria graminea map

Note: The flower stalk (pedicel) of this species is ascending.

Bulltongue arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia L.)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria lancifolia map

Note: The flower stalk (pedicel) of this species is ascending.

Delta arrowhead (Sagittaria platyphylla (Engelm.) J.G. Sm.)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria platyphylla map

Note: The flower stalks (pedicel) of this species are curved downward (reflexed).

Nipplebract arrowhead (Sagittaria papillosa Buch.)
Native perennial.

Sagittaria papillosa map

Note: leaves are narrow and taper to the tip. The flower stalk (pedicel) of this species is ascending. The leaf-like structures (bracts) at the base of the flower stalks (pedicels) are densely covered with small protuberances (papillae).

Burheads (Echinodorus spp.)

Note: The seeds (achenes) are eaten by numerous bird species.

NWI status: All burheads are designated as OBL.

Upright burrhead (Echinodorus berteroi (Spreng.) Fassett )
Native perennial.

Note: Plants are sold in the aquarium trade.

Creeping burhead (Echinodorus cordifolius (L.) Griseb.)
Native perennial

Echinodorus cordifolius map

Note: The flowering-stalks (scape) are arching and, when in contact with the soil, will root and form new plants.

Lanceleaf burrhead (Echinodorus tenellus (Mart.) Buch.)
Native perennial.

Echinodorus tenellus map

Note: A very small plant with a restricted distribution in Oklahoma.

Last update: 2/10/04
Comments to : Bruce Hoagland

bhoagland@ou.edu

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