common arrowgrass

Triglochin maritima

Common arrowgrass is a special plant that grows in wet areas like marshes and along coastlines. It has long, thin leaves and small green flowers that can be hard to see.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The common arrowgrass has stiff, narrow, grass-like leaves growing in clumps. Its tiny, greenish-yellow to purplish flowers appear on a tall, slender stalk that rises above the foliage. It stands out in wetlands due to its unique, inconspicuous flower spike.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderAlismatalesFamilyJuncaginaceaeGenusTriglochin

common arrowgrass

Interesting facts

Despite its grass-like look, it's actually related to beautiful water plantains!

Its three-lobed fruit gives it part of its scientific name, 'Triglochin'!

Its tiny, green flowers don't have showy petals; they let the wind do the work!

This tough plant grows from North America all the way to chilly Siberia!

Special abilities

Common arrowgrass can thrive in salty water, an adaptation that helps it survive where many other plants cannot.

Common arrowgrass contains cyanogenic glycosides that help it defend against hungry animals trying to eat its leaves.

Common arrowgrass has creeping rhizomes, underground stems that help it spread and colonize new wet areas.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-60 cm
Spread: 5-15 cm
Flower Size: 0.1-0.2 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to summer
Edible: No
Toxicity: Moderate
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Wind

Ecological connections

eats

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

eats seeds from the plant

eats

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

grazes on leaves and roots

eats

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses on the foliage

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Grass-Like

Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Salt Tolerant

Salt tolerant plants can withstand and grow in conditions with elevated salinity levels in the soil or water.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.