Arrowhead Sagittaria latifolia Alismataceae (Water-Plantain Family) Arrowhead, Duck Potato, Wapato, Arrow Leaf Plant Type: Perennial Height: 12 - 30in. / 30cm to 75cm Width: Can cover large areas. Light: prefers partial shade to full sun. Soil: Any good garden soil. Blooms: Spring to summer.  Color - White Water Depth: Wet soil to 18in. Hardiness Range: 6A - 9A   The most common arrowhead of eastern North America is Sagittaria latifolia (Family Alismataceae). Arrowhead grows in shallow water on the fringe of ponds, lakes, and streams. Its emergent leaves are sagittate. Sagittaria forms an inflorescence of white flowers. A Perennial from tuber-producing (egg-shaped) rhizomes which grows to 3 feet tall. The leaves are all basal, with long stalks, and the leaf blades are arrowhead-shaped, to 25 cm long. Submerged leaves are lance-shaped or even bladeless and linear. Flowers are white, 1-2 cm across, often unisexual flowers. They have 3 greenish sepals and 3 petals. Habitat: Marshes, ponds, lakes, wet ditches; usually emergent but often partly submerged; low elevations. Uses: Editable tubers. Often early peoples claimed wapato patches by clearing the area of competing growth to gain access to the tubers. Harvesting usually occurred in October and November. Since the tubers lay under water, the work was done by canoe, pulling the roots from a kneeling position, or as an alternative, by wading in the water and dislodging the tubers with the toes. Wapato tubers kept for several months if left unwashed in the raw state. They were stored and cooked as needed by baking in hot ashes. The tubers provide an excellent source of carbohydrate. The tubers resemble the potato in texture, but has a sweeter taste.