Intro: Emergent, rhizomatous, aquatic perennial of swamps, overwash pools in stream floodplains, freshwater and brackish tidal marshes, semipermanently inundated rocky bars and shores, beaver ponds and ditches; usually where water ponds seasonally or periodically.

Stems: Stems forming colonies via fleshy rhizomes, simple or forked, hairy (sometimes smooth below).

Leaves: Leaves alternate, long-petiolate and with a striped sheath, oval to lance-shaped with notched base, to 6 3/4 in. long, smooth.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers densely arranged in a 2- 14-in.-long, erect spike that nods at the tip; white; about 1/4 in. long; lacking petals or sepals but with 3-7 stamens and 3-4 carpels; fragrant.

Fruits: Fruit a tiny, somewhat fleshy capsule.

Comments:

Height: 1-4 ft.

plant sale text: Ranging from southern Canada and Michigan, south to FL and TX, lizard's tail typically inhabits areas where water ponds seasonally, such as swamps, stream flood plains, and ditches. Beginning in late May, a long spike of tiny fragrant flowers form high on the stem above relatively large lance to triangular-shaped leaves. In the garden or naturalized area, lizard's tail spreads as a ground cover for moist soils and shallow water, potentially colonizing large areas. Lizard's tail is highly deer tolerant and attracts birds such as wood ducks.

bloom table text: While the range of lizard&#39s-tail extends as far north as Quebec, it is most common in the swamps and marshes of the South. It bears bright green, heart-shaped leaves up to six inches in length and, in summer, a nodding spike of tiny white flowers that resembles a tail. Most parts of the plant give off a distinct scent of orange peel. Lizard&#39s-tail is a showy and easy-to-grow plant that is desirable for pools and water gardens. However, it should be confined to a container in small areas because it quickly forms large colonies.

description: Emergent, rhizomatous, aquatic perennial of swamps, overwash pools in stream floodplains, freshwater and brackish tidal marshes, semipermanently inundated rocky bars and shores, beaver ponds and ditches; usually where water ponds seasonally or periodically.

stems: Stems forming colonies via fleshy rhizomes, simple or forked, hairy (sometimes smooth below).

leaves: Leaves alternate, long-petiolate and with a striped sheath, oval to lance-shaped with notched base, to 6 3/4 in. long, smooth.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers densely arranged in a 2- 14-in.-long, erect spike that nods at the tip; white; about 1/4 in. long; lacking petals or sepals but with 3-7 stamens and 3-4 carpels; fragrant.

fruits: Fruit a tiny, somewhat fleshy capsule.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern North America