Lizard's Tail

(Saururus cernuus)

 

   

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus L.)

Identification: A partially aquatic plant. Flowers small, white, arranged in an elongate, compact, thickened spike, spike usually curled or nodding near the tip. Stems thick, smooth. Leaves large, dark green, heart-shaped with thick petioles. Plant 2 to 5 feet in height.

Distribution: Michigan in the west to Ontario and New England in the east, southward to Florida and Texas.

Habitat: Lizard's Tail is found in swamps and shallow water.

Flowering period: June to September.

Similar Species: The combination of the aquatic habitat, the long flower spike with its nodding tip, and the large, dark, heart-shaped leaves should easily identify this species.

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