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 lanceolatum – This aquatic perennial grows 28” tall and about 10” inches wide and derives from Africa, and central and Southwest Asia. They thrive in 8-9” deep water and bears lance shape bluish green leaves 12” long often the leaves above the water are smaller. It bears panicle 8-28” tall of purplish pink flowers ½” across.
Zones 5-8
