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Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott

Introduction & Overview

Common and Scientific Names

  • Scientific Name: Peltandra virginica (L.) Schott.
  • Common Name: Green arrow arum, arrow arum, tuckahoe

Quick Facts

  • Origin: Eastern Canada to Florida and west to Texas, with naturalized populations in California and Oregon
  • Features: It thrives in shallow freshwater wetlands and forms dense but non‑invasive clumps

Taxonomy & Classification

  • Genus: Peltandra
  • Botanical Background: Described as Arum virginicum by Linnaeus (1753) and later reassigned to Peltandra by Schott (1832). The genus name derives from Greek “pelte” (small shield) referring to stamen shape.

Natural Habitat & Distribution

  • Geographical Range: Native across the eastern U.S. and southeastern Canada; naturalized in parts of the West.
  • Environment: Occurs in marshes, swamps, bogs, pond margins, and slow‑moving streams; tolerates full sun to deep shade and inundation up to 30 cm. Prefers silty or organic soils, pH 3–9.5.

Morphological Characteristics

Leaves

  • Basal cluster of glossy, sagittate (arrow‑shaped) leaves up to 50 cm long
  • Pale underside with pinnate venation

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

  • Spike‑like spadix enclosed by a greenish‑white spathe (15–20 cm long)
  • Male flowers above, sterile in middle, female below
  • Pollinated by chloropid flies (Elachiptera formosa)

Growth Habit

  • Rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial that forms clonal clumps
  • Emerges each spring from a stout rhizome

Cultivation & Care

Light Requirements

  • Full sun to part shade
  • Tolerates heavy shade

Watering & Humidity

  • Requires consistently wet to flooded soil
  • Standing water ≤15 cm ideal

Soil & Potting Mix

  • Rich loam or muck substrate
  • Containers with drainage placed in shallow water

Temperature & Fertilizer

  • Hardy USDA zones 5–9
  • Fertilize lightly in spring with balanced N-P-K 10-10-10.

Propagation Methods

Division and Cuttings

  • Divide rhizomes in early spring
  • Ensure ≥2 buds per section and replant in wet soil


Seeds

  • Collect berries late summer
  • Remove pulp, stratify at 5 °C for one week, sow on surface of aquatic soil, maintain standing water

Common Pests & Diseases

Typical Issues

  • Generally pest‑free
  • Occasional root rot if overwatered beyond tolerance

Treatment Recommendations

  • Ensure proper drainage
  • Remove infected tissue
  • Apply organic fungicide if needed

Notable Traits & Uses

  • Historically used by Indigenous peoples as a starch source after detoxification
  • Modern wildlife value includes fruit for ducks and rails
  • Valued for architectural foliage in water gardens and for erosion control along pond margins


Conservation & Availability

Wild Population Status

  • IUCN Least Concern

  • Locally endangered in Iowa

Market Availability

  • Widely available from native plant nurseries
  • Common in water garden trade

References & Resources

Further Reading

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