Description
Alisma – Water Plantains
There are about 9 species of herbaceous perennial that’s marginal aquatic or bog perennials, native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, South Africa and Australia. The basal rosette of leaves with usually broad lance shaped to heart shaped blades. In summer a tall whorled umbel-like panicles arise form the center of the rosette bear small 3 petal saucer shaped white or pink flowers are followed by small green fruits which fragment into many segment that float away.
They grow submerged in shallow water but will not flower until leaves grow above water. Mostly grow at pond edges or a boggy pace. Valued for their bold green foliage in warmer months.
They require little maintenance and spread by division.
Alisma plantago-aquatica – Mad-dog Weed – Common Water Plantain – This widely cultivated aquatic perennial bears heart shaped grayish green leaf blades 8” long at the base. Native to Europe, North and South Africa, East Asia and North America. Many branched flowering stems rise to 2-3’ feet tall to bear white or pinkish flower under ½” in diameter panicles that bloom through summer.
Zones 5-10
