Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina
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Family: Alismataceae · Type: Herb · Native
Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina is a native California herb in the Alismataceae family, recognized by annual habit and bisexual flowers with spotted petals.
Sagittaria montevidensis is a California native annual found in the Great Valley, San Francisco Bay Area (Sonoma County), and central Southern California (Los Angeles County) in ponds and rice fields at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces white petals with a distinctive green-yellow spot at the base of each flower. Growing with erect to ascending petioles, it develops sagittate leaves 5 to 15 centimeters long with basal lobes approximately equal to the terminal blade. Its leaves feature distinctive arrow-shaped blades that emerge from the water with upright stems. The fruit develops with oil-streaked sides and a small spreading beak measuring 0.4 to 0.8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are annual habit and bisexual flowers with spotted petals
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ponds, rice fields
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: to eastern United States, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina blooms Jul-Aug.
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 montevidensis subsp. calycina native to California?
Yes. Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina bloom?
Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina belong to?
Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina is in the Alismataceae family, genus Sagittaria.
What habitat does Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina grow in?
Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina grows in Ponds, rice fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.