Broadleaf Arrowhead, Arrowhead, Duckroot, Duck Potato

Sagittaria latifolia

saj-ee-TAR-ee-uh  lat-ee-FOH-lee-uh

Synonyms of Sagittaria latifolia (49) (Updated on 11-5-22 from Plants of the World Online): Sagitta latifolia (Willd.) (1913), Sagittaria engelmanniana subsp. longirostra (Micheli) Bogin (1955), Sagittaria esculenta Howell (1903), Sagittaria gigantea Riddell (1853), Sagittaria gracilis Pursh (1813), Sagittaria hastata Pursh (1813), Sagittaria hastata var. gracilis (Pursh) Nutt. (1818), Sagittaria latifolia f. diversifolia B.L.Rob (1908), Sagittaria latifolia var. glabra Buchenau, H.G.A.Engler (ed.) (1903), Sagittaria latifolia f. gracilis B.L.Rob. (1908), Sagittaria latifolia f. hastata B.L.Rob. (1908), Sagittaria latifolia var. major Pursh (1813), Sagittaria latifolia var. obtusa (Engelm.) Wiegand (1925), Sagittaria latifolia var. pubescens (Torr.) J.G.Sm. (1894), Sagittaria longirostra (Micheli) J.G.Sm. (1894), Sagittaria obtusa Muhl. ex Willd. (1805), Sagittaria ornithorhyncha Small (1933), Sagittaria planipes Fernald (1947), Sagittaria pubescens Muhl. (1813), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. angustifolia Hook. (1838), Sagittaria sagittifolia f. angustifolia (Engelm.) Britton (1890), Sagittaria sagittifolia f. gracilis (Pursh) Britton (1890), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. gracilis (Pursh) Torr. (1826), Sagittaria sagittifolia f. hastata (Pursh) Britton (1890), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. hastata (Pursh) Torr. (1826), Sagittaria sagittifolia f. latifolia (Willd.) Britton (1890), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. latifolia (Willd.) Muhl. (1813), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. longirostra Micheli, A.L.P.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle (1881), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. macrophylla Hook. (1838), Sagittaria sagittifolia f. obtusa (Engelm.) Britton (1890), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. pubescens Torr. (1826), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. variabilis (Engelm.) Micheli, A.L.P.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle (1881), Sagittaria sagittifolia var. vulgaris Hook. (1838), Sagittaria simplex Pursh (1813), Sagittaria variabilis Engelm., A.Gray (1848), Sagittaria variabilis var. angustifolia Engelm., A.Gray (1856), Sagittaria variabilis f. angustifolia E.L.Rand & Redfield (1894), Sagittaria variabilis var. diversifolia Engelm., A.Gray (1856), Sagittaria variabilis var. echinocephala Engelm. ex J.G.Sm., Rep. (1894), Sagittaria variabilis var. gracilis (Pursh) Engelm., A.Gray (1856), Sagittaria variabilis var. hastata (Pursh) Engelm., A.Gray (1867), Sagittaria variabilis f. hastata E.L.Rand & Redfield (1894), Sagittaria variabilis var. latifolia (Willd.) Engelm., A.Gray (1856), Sagittaria variabilis var. obtusa Engelm., A.Gray (1856), Sagittaria variabilis f. obtusa E.L.Rand & Redfield (1894), Sagittaria variabilis var. pubescens (Torr.) Engelm., A.Gray (1867), Sagittaria variabilis var. sagittifolia Engelm., A.Gray (1856), Sagittaria viscosa C.Mohr (1897), Urospatha friedrichsthalii Schott (1853)

Sagittaria latifolia Willd. is the accepted scientific name for the Broadleaf Arrowhead. It was named and described as such by Carl Ludwig Willdenow in the 4th edition of Species Plantarum in 1805.

The genus, Sagittaria L., was described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the second volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753. Plants of the World Online by Kew says Sagittaria Ruppius ex L. meaning Ruppius first named the genus and Linnaeus gave him credit. I couldn’t see where Linnaeus mentioned his name on page 993 in the publication… 

Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 39 species in the Sagittaria genus (as of 8-5-21 when this page was last updated). It is a member of the plant family Alismataceae with 18 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made by POWO.

The above distribution map for Sagittaria latifolia is from Plants of the World Online. Areas in green are where the species is native and purple where it has been introduced. The map on the USDA Plants Database for North America (above Mexico) shows a much broader range…

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are updated as members post observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER POSITIVE ID.

 

The Broadleaf Arrowhead grows in several areas around the lake at Farrington Park next to the farm. It also grows in the swampy area in the southeast corner of the farm where the lake drains. It is an interesting species but it can become a nuisance in some situations over time.

I apologize for not writing descriptions at the moment, but I have A LOT of wildflower pages to make and publish before I start getting too busy. I update this site and add new pages over the winter but I didn’t get finished. SO, I decided to just make the page with photos and links to other sites for better plant ID. I will be taking more photos over the summer and posting but I will also be working on these pages as I have time.

 

 

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the farm and other areas. My farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 100 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the page). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a few horticulturalists I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
USDA PLANT GUIDE
DAVE’S GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
ARKANSAS NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
PFAF (PLANTS FOR A FUTURE)
GO BOTANY
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
FLORA FINDER
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
GARDENIA
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON/BURKE HERBARIUM
WASHINGTON NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
EDIBLE WILD FOOD

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates (and if they update their sources or even read what they say). Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is the most reliable and up-to-date plant database and they make updates on a regular basis. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂