Sagittaria sanfordii
Sanford's arrowhead
(c) Mary K. Hanson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Alismataceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Sagittaria sanfordii (Sanford's arrowhead) is a native California herb in the Alismataceae family, recognized by linear leaves, blade-like petioles, and oil-streaked fruits.
Sanford's arrowhead is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Central Valley, and northern Southern California coastal areas in ponds and ditches at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white flowers with distinctive spheric tubers emerging from water. Growing with emergent leaves 14 to 25 centimeters long, it develops linear to lanceolate blades that are flat or triangular in cross-section. Its leaves emerge on petioles that range from blade-like to three-angled, adapting to aquatic environments. The plant produces fruits with oil-streaked sides and a short erect beak measuring 0.2 to 0.6 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; key features are linear leaves, blade-like petioles, and oil-streaked fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Ponds, ditches
Elevation: < 300 m
California counties: San Joaquin, Ventura, Fresno, Butte, Tehama, San Bernardino, Shasta, Sacramento, Yuba, Marin, Mariposa, Merced, Napa, Del Norte
Bloom period
Sagittaria sanfordii blooms May-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 sanfordii native to California?
Yes. Sagittaria sanfordii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Sagittaria sanfordii bloom?
Sagittaria sanfordii blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Sagittaria sanfordii grow?
Sagittaria sanfordii occurs in San Joaquin, Ventura, Fresno, Butte, Tehama, San Bernardino, Shasta, Sacramento and other counties, at elevations of < 300 m.
What plant family does Sagittaria sanfordii belong to?
Sagittaria sanfordii is in the Alismataceae family, genus Sagittaria.
Is Sagittaria sanfordii rare or endangered?
Sagittaria sanfordii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Sagittaria sp. — Arrowhead
- Sagittaria cuneata — Arum leaved arrowhead
- Sagittaria latifolia — Broad leaf arrowhead
- Sagittaria longiloba — Long lobed arrowhead
- Sagittaria montevidensis subsp. calycina
- Sagittaria rigida — Sessile-fruited arrowhead
- Alisma gramineum — Grass alisma
- Alisma lanceolatum — Lanceleaf water plantain
- Alisma sp. — Water-plantain
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.