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| ## arrow arum {#arrow-arum .Title-Header}                             |
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| *Peltandra virginica* (L.) Kunth.                                     |
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| Plant Symbol = PEVI                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Arrow Arum (Peltandra
virginica)](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.8688976377952755in"
height="2.798031496062992in"}**Uses**

Expansive stands of arrow arum often develop in the marginal waters it
inhabits. The foliage and stems in these stands create a wave deflecting
or buffering barrier, while the root masses knit together and stabilize
the submerged sediments. The roots and shoots translocate methane from
the substrate. Arrow arum fruit is a preferred food of wood ducks, and
is also eaten by muskrats and rails. The foliage is seldom damaged,
providing good cover to waterfowl, wading birds, insects, and aquatic
mammals.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

The bright green, smooth, succulent, arrow- to heart-shaped leaves of
arrow arum (*Peltandra* *virginica*) emerge annually from perennial
bulbs. The bulbs are tufted with thick fibrous roots. The 4 to 30 inch
long ascending leaves are 3 to 8 inches wide, and have three prominent
veins with an abrupt, sharp tip.

Arrow arum is monoecious, with both male and female parts contained in a
partially closed 4 to 8 inch green spathe. It blooms from May to July.
As the fruit matures the entire flowering stem curves downward,
immersing the spathe. The green berry-like fruit is up to 1/2 inch long,
and usually contains one seed. Upon separation from the flowering stem,
this floatable fruit begins to turn black.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

The native range of arrow arum is from Maine to Ontario and Michigan,
south to Florida, Louisiana, and Missouri. It commonly inhabits shallow
water areas of marshes, bogs, swamps, stream and river bottoms, lakes,
ponds, and ditches. This emergent requires unconsolidated silty or
organic sites, which are open, and saturated or inundated up to 1 foot.
It will tolerate pHs of 3.0 to 9.5, and salinity up to 2 ppt.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Arrow arum predominantly relies on its seed production for
re-establishment and population distribution, but it can be propagated
vegetatively. There are an average of 500 cleaned seeds per pound. When
the fruit of this species falls into or is stored in water, the fruit
coating swells and ruptures. The seed separates, sinks, then begins to
germinate if site conditions are adequate. This same seedling
development process can easily be replicated in cultivated fields or in
greenhouses.

Vegetative propagation is by root bulb divisions. The bulbs form in
layers around a root mass, which may be as deep as 8 inches. Once dug,
the bulbs are broken from the root mass, then either directly planted or
transplanted into containers or production beds. One mature plant may
produce up to ten of these planting units.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

If planted into soils with low organic contents, arrow arum responds
well to applications of commercial fertilizer. Only marginal effect is
expected with the addition of fertilizers on adequate sites. To sustain
good vigorous plant growth, soils must be deep and maintained at the
saturation point, or inundated to a depth shallower than the leaves.
Once established, this species tolerates partial shade, but young
seedlings need direct sunlight. If managing for seed production, timely
harvest is necessary, since ripe fruit are readily consumed by wood
ducks and muskrats. No other damaging pests have been documented or
observed.

In the Northeast, arrow arum grows in association with facultative
wetland trees and shrubs, wild rice, woolgrass, burreeds, and soft rush.
In shallower open water it often is over topped by aggressive
rhizomatous species.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

No known varieties are available, but wetland nurseries carry local or
regional ecotypes.

##### 

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program

##### Edited: 05Feb2002 JLK; 060802 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060802-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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