Peltandra virginica
Copyright, Vic Ramey, University of Florida
Arrow Arum is an aquatic
plant with large, thick leaves that grow one to two feet
long. Leaves are shaped like an arrowhead. This plant is
often confused with other arrowhead-shaped water plants,
such as Arrowhead and Pickerelweed. Arrow Arum (pronounce
"air - um"), grows in shallow water in ponds, lakes,
slow-moving rivers, and marshes. It is a perennial, so it
grows back every year. Robert H. Reed, Wisconsin
State Herbarium Copyright, Janet Novak,
Connecticut
Botanical Society Arrow Arum blooms from
May to July. Flowers grow on a large spike, called a spathe.
The spathe is 4 - 7 inches long with many tiny yellow-green
flowers on it. The fruits of this plant
are blackish-green berries which grow in clusters the size
of chicken eggs. When the fruits are ripe, they get heavy.
The stalk they grow on will bend over with the weight, and
the Arrow Arum will actually plant itself in the
mud.
Copyright, James Manhart
Arrow Arum grows in large
colonies. It has large underground stems, called rhizomes,
which grow sideways and send up new plants. Colonies can
survive in bright sun or shade. Arrow Arum often has to
compete with colonies of other aquatic plants, like
cattails, reeds, arrowheads, Lizard's Tail, lilies,
Pickerelweed, and bulrushes. The seeds of Arrow Arum
are eaten by Wood Ducks and other animals. Flowers are
pollinated by bees and other insects. Arrow Arum provides great
shelter and cover for both small and large animals that move
in, or near, the water, including: deer, beaver, muskrat,
snakes, turtles, frogs, dragonflies, fish, and many
others. Robert W. Freckman,
Wisconsin State Herbarium
