Peltandra virginica
Green arrow arum, tuckahoe, Tuckahoe
(c) Laura Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Clark · licence
Family: Araceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Peltandra virginica (Green arrow arum) is a non-native California herb in the Araceae family, recognized by Extremely rare waif, only arum family representative in California.
Green arrow arum is a naturalized perennial found in southwestern San Joaquin Valley (northeastern San Luis Obispo County) in pond and reservoir habitats at elevations below 400 meters. Its bright green leaves are distinctive, with long, acute lower lobes extending 10 to 30 centimeters. Growing less than one meter tall, the plant features a unique green bract 10 to 20 centimeters long with pale green to white margins. The inflorescence has flowers embedded directly in its axis, with fertile regions throughout the structure. Its fruit is brown, containing one to three seeds enclosed in a gelatinous, translucent pulp.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Extremely rare waif, only arum family representative in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Ponds, reservoirs
Elevation: < 400 m
Outside California: to eastern North America
How to tell it apart
vs Zantedeschia: Zantedeschia has large white spathes; Peltandra has small green inconspicuous spathes.; vs Arum: Arum has net-like venation; Peltandra has parallel feather-like veins.; vs Nymphoides: Nymphoides has round floating leaves; Peltandra has upright arrow-shaped leaves.; vs Hydrocotyle: Hydrocotyle has round shield-like leaves; Peltandra has arrow-shaped leaves with pointed lobes.; vs Brasenia: Brasenia has oval floating leaves; Peltandra has arrow-shaped emergent leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Peltandra virginica native to California?
No. Peltandra virginica is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Peltandra virginica belong to?
Peltandra virginica is in the Araceae family, genus Peltandra.
What habitat does Peltandra virginica grow in?
Peltandra virginica grows in Uncommon. Ponds, reservoirs.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.