Sagittaria longiloba
Long lobed arrowhead
(c) Chris Acree, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Alismataceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sagittaria longiloba (Long lobed arrowhead) is a native California herb in the Alismataceae family, recognized by basal lobes > terminal lobe and spherical tan tubers.
Long lobed arrowhead is a California native perennial found in the Great Valley bioregion in ponds and rice fields at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive sagittate leaves having long basal lobes extending beyond the terminal point. Growing with ascending to erect stems, it forms spheric tan tubers beneath the water surface. Its emergent leaves have petioles 13 to 27 centimeters long, with triangular blades featuring prominent side lobes larger than the central blade. The plant produces fruits with a short, erect beak measuring 0.1 to 0.6 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are basal lobes > terminal lobe and spherical tan tubers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ponds, rice fields
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: to central United States, northern Mexico, Central America
Bloom period
Sagittaria longiloba blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Alisma: Sagittaria has separate male and female flowers; alisma flowers have both parts together.; vs Echinodorus: Sagittaria fruit clusters lack the spiky bur appearance of burhead.; vs Ranunculus: Sagittaria has three white petals and aquatic habit; buttercup has five yellow petals.; vs Damasonium: Sagittaria fruits spiral on a dome; damasonium fruits fuse at base in a flat star.; vs Plantago: Sagittaria has three-petaled white flowers; plantain has tiny flowers in brown spikes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sagittaria longiloba native to California?
Yes. Sagittaria longiloba is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sagittaria longiloba bloom?
Sagittaria longiloba blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Sagittaria longiloba belong to?
Sagittaria longiloba is in the Alismataceae family, genus Sagittaria.
What habitat does Sagittaria longiloba grow in?
Sagittaria longiloba grows in Ponds, rice fields.
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.