American Water Plantain
Alisma subcordatum Raf.
Alisma subcordatum, known as American Water Plantain, is a perennial aquatic plant in the Alismataceae family. It grows up to 3 feet tall, with lance to oval leaves emerging from bulbous corms. Underwater leaves are weak and often rot, while the plant produces a branched inflorescence with white to pink 3-petaled flowers from June to September. The seeds are consumed by waterfowl and upland birds, and the rootlike structures were dried and eaten by Native Americans.
Description
Alisma subcordatum is native to regions including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and parts of the United States. It is found in the Nearctic region and has a broader global distribution. The species name subcordatum refers to the leaves being nearly heart-shaped. The plant has fibrous roots and is adapted to aquatic environments. Its flowers bloom over a three-month period, and it plays a role in the diets of both birds and humans.
Other common names
American Water PlantainBroad-Leaved Water-PlantainSmall Water-PlantainSouthern Water PlantainSouthern Water-PlantainWaterplaintain
Distribution
Manitoba · New Brunswick · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Quebec · Saskatchewan · Nearctic · Vermont-US · Global · Alabama · Arkansas · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Georgia · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Nebraska
Synonyms
Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. subcordatumAlisma montanumAlisma parviflorumAlisma plantago-aquatica var. parviflorumAlisma plantago-aquatica var. parviflorum