# American Water-Plantain (*alisma subcordatum*)

The American Water-Plantain has beautiful, broad leaves that float on the water's surface. It produces lovely white flowers that attract many curious insects!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Shallow waters, wetlands, and along lakeshores
- **Also known as:** Alisma, Broadleaf Water Plantain, Water Plantain

![American Water-Plantain](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/8187409/medium.jpg)

Photo: cwwood, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/8187409)

## Appearance

The American Water-Plantain has long, elliptical green leaves that often float on or emerge from water. Its tall stalks display airy clusters of small, three-petaled white or pale pink flowers, each with a bright yellow center, making it distinct from many common pond plants.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Alismatales
- **Family:** Alismataceae
- **Genus:** Alisma

## Interesting facts

- Each delicate flower opens for only one morning, then wilts by the afternoon!
- Its scientific name, Alisma, means 'water plant' in ancient Greek!
- Native Americans sometimes ate its roots after carefully boiling or drying them!
- This plant can help clean water by absorbing extra nutrients from its environment!

## Special abilities

- **Water-Dweller:** American Water-Plantain has specialized roots that anchor it firmly in mucky pond bottoms, helping it thrive in aquatic environments.
- **Leaf Lifter:** Its broad, buoyant leaves can float on the water's surface, allowing it to capture sunlight even in murky conditions.
- **Seed Spreader:** This plant produces many tiny seeds that can float, allowing water currents to carry them far and wide.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 20-100 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Pollinates:** [Common eastern bumble bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Important pollinator of its small flowers.
- **Eaten by:** Mallard duck (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ducks sometimes consume its seeds.
- **Shelter:** [American bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Provides cover and habitat in shallow waters.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
- [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify American Water-Plantain?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is American Water-Plantain?

20-100 cm

### How big are the flowers on American Water-Plantain?

0.5-1 cm

### When does American Water-Plantain bloom?

Summer

### Is American Water-Plantain edible?

No

### Is American Water-Plantain toxic?

Mild

### What is American Water-Plantain's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is American Water-Plantain pollinated?

Insect

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [American Water-Plantain: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-water-plantain)