Duck potato is a colony-forming, aquatic perennial that rises above water level to a height of 3-4 feet. The leaf is shaped like an arrowhead, which is another common name. Flowers have showy, white petals and are arranged in a whorled raceme. The rhizomes produce starchy tubers known as "duck potatoes" because ducks, turtles, and muskrats eat the delicacies. The tubers were once an important source of food for Native Americans, and "wapato" is one of the names given to it by the Cree. It reproduces aggressively by seeds and runners or by transplanting tubers. To slow spread, cut off seed heads in fall. 
 
Native habitats include still waters and marshes.
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 1-4' tall and 1-3' wide.
 
Grows in full or part sun.
 
Prefers fully saturated soils, mud, or shallow water.
 
Blooms June-November with 1-1/2" white flowers bearing bushy, yellow stamens (male) or green, mounding centers (female).
 
Green leaves are up to 12" long.
 
Wildlife Value:
Host plant for 7 species of Lepidoptera larvae, including specialists waterlily owlet, golden looper, obscure pondweed moth, and catocaline dart moth. Seeds attract birds.
 
Resources:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=sala2
Gardenia: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/sagittaria-latifolia
National Wildlife Federation: https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/Plants/2902