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Arrowhead

©Bruce Shortland

Arrowhead

Arrowhead is an aquatic plant of shallow water and slow-moving waterways. In bloom over summer, it displays small, white flowers, but it is the arrow-shaped leaves that are most distinctive.

Scientific name

Sagittaria sagittifolia

When to see

June to September

Species information

Category

Statistics

Height: up to 80cm
Common.

About

Arrowhead is a tall, aquatic plant that is often found in shallow water or along the margins of slow-moving watercourses. It is in bloom from June to September, displaying small, white flowers; but it is the arrow-shaped leaves that are most distinctive. Like other aquatic plants, it offers resting and sheltering places for aquatic insects like dragonflies and damselflies.

How to identify

Arrowhead has arrow-shaped emergent leaves, rounded leaves near the water's surface, and narrow leaves underneath the water. Its small, white flowers have dark centres and sit in clusters at the ends of its stems.

Distribution

Mainly found in England and Northern Ireland.

Did you know?

The flowers of Arrowhead are open in the afternoon and early evening, attracting late-flying insects.