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| ## duck potato {#duck-potato .Title-Header}                           |
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| *Sagittaria latifolia* Willd.                                         |
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| Plant Symbol = SALA2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

![Color image of Duck Potato (Sagittaria
latifolia)](media/image2.png){width="1.9401574803149606in"
height="2.9047244094488187in"}

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

wapato, broadleaf arrowhead

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

This is a multipurpose emergent plant, however the greatest value this
species offers is as food and cover for aquatic animal life. The seed
and tubers of duck potato are readily consumed by waterfowl, songbirds,
wading birds, muskrats, and beaver. The emergent foliage of this species
provides cover to the same animals with the addition of fish and aquatic
insects. During the growing season notable amounts of nutrients and
metals are extracted by *Sagittaria* *latifolia* from sediments and
water. Turbidity and wave energy is reduced by adequately stocked and
healthy stands.

##### 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}

Duck potato is a highly rhizomatous perennial broadleaf emergent capable
of attaining heights of 4 feet. The terminal hastate or sagittate leaves
are 4 to 12 inches long and acute. Each leaf lobe has an equally
distinct vein radiating to it from the leaf base. Vegetative production
peaks in July, but by mid fall the emergent plant parts annually die
back to the root crown. Prior to the annual die back, nutrients and
carbohydrates are translocated to subterranean tubers (root storage
organs).

Duck potato exhibits both dioecious and moenecious reproductive
character in its northern and southern ranges respectfully. Between July
and September one or two tapering cylindrical flowering stalks (scapes)
emerge holding 2 to 15 whorls of white, three petaled flowers with
yellow reproductive parts. Each stalk is taller than the leaves. From
August to October round clusters of seed (achenes) develop; with yields
up to 20,000 viable achenes produced per plant. Each achene contains a
flattened ovate green nutlet.

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

Duck potato has a native range which extends from New Brunswick to
British Columbia, south to Florida, California and Mexico. This
broadleaf emergent thrives in finely textured unconsolidated organic and
silty wet soils. Such conditions are typically found in marshes, swamps,
forested seeps, ditches, and in the shallows of streams, lakes and
ponds. Duck potato thrives in fresh water 6 to 12 inches deep, full sun
exposure, with pH ranging from 6.0 to 6.5, but is tolerant of less
adequate conditions.

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

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

Duck potato can be successfully established vegetatively, with tubers,
bare-root or potted stock. As a general rule tubers should be placed on
sites with less than one foot of permanent inundation, while the leaves
of transplants should never be submerged. For large plantings tubers are
most efficiently used, but on critical sites the use of bare-rooted and
potted stock is more reliable. A single plant can annually yield up to
40 tubers, with each tuber capable of vegetatively producing 3 to 5
planting units. Site quality will dictate plant spacing. Under ideal
site conditions plants can be spread up to 6 feet apart and still attain
stand closure within one growing season. On degraded or critical sites
it is advisable to reduce plant spacing to 1 to 2 feet. Utilizing seed
in greenhouse and nursery production is reliable and highly recommended
to maintain genetic diversity. Field seeding techniques have not been
refined to attain predictable results. The achenes are easily harvested,
cleaned, and broadcast sown. Prior to spring sowing, the seeds need a
three month moist stratification treatment. Sow on to well worked,
saturated soils. Germination occurs under direct sunlight with
temperatures ranging from 80° to 90° F.

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

Stand growth and health is sustained on fertile unconsolidated soils,
with adequate hydric regimes (6-12 in.). Winter draw-down periods are
necessary to encourage voluntary reseeding; otherwise tubers will be
relied on for re-growth. Nutrient rich water sources or applications of
commercial fertilizers stimulate additional bio-mass production. The
gradual acclimation to a particular effluent is necessary to utilize the
plant's maximum pollution extraction potential.

##### 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 plant 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; 060817 jsp {#edited-05feb2002-jlk-060817-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/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*