Peltandra virginica Green Arrow Arum PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Taxonomic Note: This genus was formerly classified in the family Lemnaceae. Modern classifications include it within the Araceae.

Physical Characteristics

Peltandra virginica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in June. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. undulata.

Plant Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Root Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - cooked. A slightly sweetish flavour, resembling parched corn[183]. A bread can be made from the dried and powdered seeds, it tastes like corncake with a strong flavour of cocoa[183]. Spadix (the flowering stem) and berries - cooked[2, 46, 61, 105]. A great delicacy, but they must be very well cooked otherwise they are poisonous[207]. The Indians would boil them for 9 hours[207]. Root - must be well cooked in order to destroy an acrimonious principle, see the notes above on toxicity[95]. The root is rich in starch[2, 46, 57, 61, 105] and can weigh up to 2.7 kilos[95]. It is highly astringent and has an unpleasant flavour[159]. The root can be dried and ground into a powder for use when making bread, soups etc[207].

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

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a wet lime-free humus-rich soil by the side of water or in shallow still or slowly flowing water in a sunny position[200]. Plants are best grown in clumps[1].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in late summer in pots of soil that are submerged to their rims in water[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in trays of water in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[200]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Stem cuttings rooted in wet mud in the summer[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec (southwest), Ontario (south)), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas (southeast), Minnesota (northeast), Missouri (southeast), Illinois, Oklahoma (southeast), Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas)

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Peltandra sagittifolia	White Arrow Arum	Perennial	0.2	6-9		LMH	N	WeWa	2	0

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

(L.)Schott.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

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

Peltandra virginica - (L.)Schott.