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Sagittaria graminea - Michx.

Common Name Chinese Arrowhead, Grassy Arrowhead, Weatherby's arrowhead
Family Alismataceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shallow water and muddy or sandy shores[204]. Streams, lakes, and tidal areas from sea level to 700 metres[270].
Range Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Ontario, south to Texas and Florida.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Wet Soil Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Sagittaria graminea Chinese Arrowhead, Grassy Arrowhead, Weatherby


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jomegat
Sagittaria graminea Chinese Arrowhead, Grassy Arrowhead, Weatherby
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Sagittaria sinensis. Sims.

Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Root - cooked. Contains 4 - 7% protein[183]. Young shoots - cooked[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A pond or bog garden plant, it requires a moist or wet loamy soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. Prefers shallow, still or slowly flowing water up to 30 - 60cm deep. The edible roots are commonly found in Chinese markets[183]. 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[200], whilst other reports say that it is a synonym of S. sagittifolia or S. trifolia[266]. The Flora of N. America says that S. graminea does not produce corms but has coarse rhizomes[270], which suggests that the report of edibility does not really belong here[K].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Sagittaria aginashi Perennial0.0 -  LMHNWeWa10 
Sagittaria brevirostaShort-Beaked Arrow LeafPerennial1.2 -  LMHNWeWa20 
Sagittaria chapmaniiChapman's arrowheadPerennial0.5 -  LMHNWeWa00 
Sagittaria cuneataWapato, arumleaf arrowheadPerennial0.8 5-9  LMHNWeWa41 
Sagittaria latifoliaDuck Potato, Broadleaf ArrowheadPerennial1.2 6-9  LMHNWeWa510
Sagittaria rigidaSessile-Fruited ArrowheadPerennial0.8 6-9  LMHNWeWa30 
Sagittaria sagittifoliaArrow Head, Hawaii arrowheadPerennial1.0 6-9  LMHNWeWa510
Sagittaria sagittifolia leucopetala Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNWeWa31 
Sagittaria trifoliaChinese Arrowroot, Threeleaf arrowheadPerennial1.0 10-12  LMHSNWeWa420

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Michx.

Botanical References

200204270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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