WATER-PLANTAIN FAMILY (Alismaceae)
SMALL ARROWHEAD LONG-LOBED ARROWHEAD
Marsh or water plants; leaves mostly basal; sepals 3; petals 3, white or pink, tender; stamens 6 or more; pistils many, free; fruit a head of achenes.
Small Arrowhead (Sagittaria papillosa) is a common pond dweller in Texas and Louisiana. Like other arrowheads the flowers are borne in whorls, the upper having many stamens and the lower producing the seeds. It may be distinguished from other narrow-leaved forms by the rough (papillose) surface of the floral leaves.
Plains or Long-Lobed Arrowhead (Sagittaria longiloba) is common in shallow water on the plains from Nebraska to Mexico from April to October. The shape of the leaf of this and other species has given the common names of arrowhead and arrowleaf to this group. Like the water-plantain and bur-head the flowers have 3 tender white petals. The wapato duck potato (S. latifolia) may be found in East Texas. Growing in great abundance along the coast, the water potato or scythe-fruited arrowhead (S. falcata) is a showy plant 2-4 feet high with large lance-shaped leaves. The tubers and young shoots of both of these are considered excellent foods for ducks. Indians also valued the starchy tubers for food, and it was the duty of the women to grub in the mud for them.