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| ## american water plantain {#american-water-plantain .Title-Header}   |
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| *Alisma subcordatum* Raf.                                             |
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| Plant Symbol = ALSU                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

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

Alisma plantago-aquatica L. ssp. subcordatum(Raf.) Hultén

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

Waterfowl and upland birds readily consume the seed of this broadleaf
species, but the roots have not been observed to be eaten. Its small
white and yellow flower are attractive, having potential use in water
gardens.

##### 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).

#####  {#section .Header-3}

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

This light to yellow green, erect herbaceous perennial can reach heights
of about 3 feet. The ovate to lanceolate shaped leaves emerge from a 1
1/4 to 6 inch long stem. Each leaf has a primary mid-vein which is
flanked by three subparallel veins. Leaf stems emerge from bulb-like
corms which have shallow fibrous roots. Vegetative spread is slow and
radial. This species relies on population spread by seed. Independent,
single or multiple, whorl branched inflorescence rise from the plant
base to a height of 3 1\\2 feet. White to pinkish 3 petaled flowers
bloom from June to September on compound panicles. Numerous flat,
keeled, achenes form terminally in tight rings, mature from July to
October. Seedlings will emerge on exposed soils, in stands of existing
vegetation or newly disturbed locations.

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

The native range of water plantain is from Massachusetts to Minnesota,
south to Florida and Texas. This broadleaf emergent can be found growing
in shallow, quiet to slow moving water, and in mud of marshes, ponds,
lakes, streams, ditches, and seeps. It requires organic or silty soils,
with seasonally or permanently inundated freshwater (\<0.5 parts per
thousand salt content). To grow optimally, it requires full sunlight.

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

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

This species can be established effectively by vegetative divisions or
seed. Bare-root or containerized vegetative propagules are used to
effectively establish plantain within its hydric regime.

It is easy to handle this form of material due to its small size, ease
of separation, and plantability. On site and nursery seedings are not as
predictable; water plantain requires specific after ripening,
stratification, and germination conditions before emergence will occur.
Once established onto a site with ideal hydrology, this species will
continue to re-seed itself for as long as the ideal environmental
conditions exist. Ideal sites for germination require direct sunlight,
finely textured soils, and adequate sustained soil moisture.

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

On manageable sites, water depths must be kept moist to flooded (\<4
inches) for the growing season. In early spring, water depths must
recede, exposing seeds to bare soil to germinate. This species responds
well to low to moderate levels of fertilizer amendments; naturally
released nutrients from sediments and organics are usually adequate for
good plant growth.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

There are no known detrimental pests of this species.

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

There are no commercial varieties available, but local and regional
collections are available from wetland plant nurseries.

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

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### 

##### Edited: 31Jan2002 JLK; 30may06jsp {#edited-31jan2002-jlk-30may06jsp .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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apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
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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
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