Identification & Description:
The water-plantains have small flowers with three petals on greatly branched stems. The two species that grow in Connecticut look very much alike, other than the size of the flowers. Large water-plantain flowers are 1/4 inch wide; those of small water-plantain are less than 1/8 inch wide.

Some of the arrowheads (such as broadleaf arrowhead) resemble water-plantains, but their flowers are much larger (1/2 to 1 inch), and they lack the dense branching of the flower stems that is characteristic of the water-plantains.

This plant has small, white flowers and heart-shaped leaves with pointed tips. The leaves are clustered at the base of the plant.

Habitat
Look for this plant in fresh water and in wet, full sun areas in Temperate and Tropical Zones.

Characteristics
• Family: Water-plantain (Alismataceae)
• Habitat: shallow water, mud
• Height: 8-36 inches
• Flower size: 1/4 inch across (large water-plantain) or 1/16 to 1/8 inch across (small water-plantain)
• Flower color: white
• Flowering time: June to September
• Origin: native