Dig into Plants: Lizard's Tail
Lizard's Tail Other Common Names: Lizard Tail, Breastweed, Water Dragon Scientific Name: Saururus cernuus Native to Alabama: Yes |
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Sally and Andy Wasowski Click on image to enlarge it |
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Ecological Benefits |
This plant provides food for: | ||
Butterflies | Other Pollinators | Other Birds |
Other ecological benefits: Seeds are food source for Wood Ducks | ||
Habitat Requirements | |||
This plant prefers: | |||
(2-6 hours of sun per day) Shade (Less than 2 hours of sun per day) |
Prefers wet to moist soil at all times |
Sandy, Loamy, Clay, or Moist Soil |
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Leaf, Flower & Seed Identification | ||||
LEAF DESCRIPTION |
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Sally and Andy Wasowski Click on image to enlarge it |
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Leaf Characteristics Chart (PDF) | ||||
Shape: Cordate |
Margin: Entire/Smooth |
Arrangement: Alternate |
Form: Simple |
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Description: | ||||
Green leaves and stems are hairy when young and smooth when older; leaves are 3-6 inches long; stem zigzags and is often thickened and spongy at the base; palmately veined
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FLOWER DESCRIPTION |
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Ray Mathews Click on image to enlarge it |
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Flower Shape Chart (JPG) | |||
Color: White |
Shape:
Achlamydeous ("naked" - no petals or sepals) |
Bloom Months: Apr - Aug |
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Description: | |||
Clusters of tiny white, finger-like flowers connected by short stalks at equal distances along central stem (raceme); raceme is produced opposite of a leaf and looks like a bottlebrush; clusters droop when young but become erect as they age; flowers have citrus aroma
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SEED DESCRIPTION |
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Collene Sweeney Click on image to enlarge it |
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Type: Fruit - Dry Seed Pod |
Description: Small, warty fruits take the place of flowers once they’re spent; the dry, brown fruit splits open to release small seeds |
Months in Seed: Jul - Sep |
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Plant spreads by: | |||
Seeds and Rhizomes/ Tubers/ Roots & Shoots This plant can be very vigorous, and should be confined to a pot to restrict its rhizomes |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
Quick Fact Sheet (Condensed Species Info) |
Plant ID Sign: Ready as-is PDF |
Plant ID Sign: Editable Word Doc |
QR Code (Links to this Webpage) |
INFORMATION SOURCES FOR THIS PLANT