Duck Potato (Sagittaria latifolia)
Regular price $39.95Native Aquatic Edible with Arrow-Shaped Elegance
Duck Potato (Sagittaria latifolia), also known as Broadleaf Arrowhead and Wapato, is a hardy aquatic perennial native to wetlands across North America. Celebrated for its distinctive arrowhead-shaped leaves and edible underground tubers, this plant has been an important traditional food source for Indigenous peoples for centuries. Its lush foliage and striking white flowers make it a beautiful addition to water gardens, pond edges, marshes, and other wet landscapes.
The edible tubers are starchy with a flavor often compared to chestnuts and can be harvested for culinary use. Above ground, Duck Potato provides valuable habitat and food for wildlife, particularly ducks and other waterfowl, while its extensive growth can help stabilize wet soils and reduce erosion along pond and stream banks.
Cultural & Culinary Significance
Known as Wapato among Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest and other regions, Duck Potato has a long history as a traditional edible plant. The starchy tubers were harvested and consumed as an important food source. Today, the tubers can be prepared as a versatile starchy vegetable, while the plant remains valued for its role in wetland ecosystems and wildlife habitat.
Why Grow Duck Potato?
- Harvest edible tubers with a satisfying starchy texture and chestnut-like flavor.
- Grow a native aquatic plant with distinctive arrow-shaped foliage and showy white flowers.
- Provide food and habitat for ducks, geese, and other waterfowl.
- Help stabilize wet soil and support pond and stream bank areas.
- Add an easy-care edible perennial to ponds, marshes, rain gardens, and other wet landscapes.
Growing Tips
Plant Duck Potato in full sun to part shade and provide consistently wet, rich, loamy soil. It grows especially well with the soil submerged beneath approximately 2–12 inches of water, making it ideal for ponds, marshes, rain gardens, and shallow aquatic environments. Plant tubers or divisions approximately 12–18 inches apart in spring or early summer to give plants room to spread. Remove dead foliage in late fall and monitor growth in smaller ponds, as Duck Potato can spread readily once established.
| Botanical Name | Sagittaria latifolia |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Duck Potato, Broadleaf Arrowhead, Wapato |
| Family | Alismataceae (Water Plantain Family) |
| Origin | North America |
| Plant Type | Aquatic Perennial |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Food Forest Layer | Aquatic Layer |
| Mature Size | 2–4 ft tall |
| Light | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Water Needs | High; thrives in submerged conditions |
| Harvest Season | Late Summer to Fall |
| Time to Harvest | 90–120 days from planting |
| Self-Fertile | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Zones | USDA Zones 3–10 |
| Florida Native | Yes |
| Propagation | Tubers, Rhizome Division |
| Seasonal Traits | Dies back in winter; regrows in spring |
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