(Sagittaria latifolia)
Pick Up Only
Also known as broadleaf arrowhead, duck potato, Indian potato, or Wapato, is edible. The starchy tubers are the edible part, and were a significant food source for Native American tribes in North America.
Wapato is under-utilized in wet bioswales and engineered stormwater retention ponds. It makes a fascinating potted plant (with tropical-like foliage) for creating a miniature wetland to enjoy on your porch. It adds pollinator and wildlife value to backyard ponds. For the right person, this could even be an incredibly prolific wetland garden food crop.
ZONE: 3-10
POLLINATOR: Yes
DEER RESISTANT: Yes
DROUGHT TOLERANT: No, needs to be in water
EVERGREEN: No
SPREADS BY SEED: Yes and aggressively in wetlands via underwater rhizomes
NEEDS A CROSS POLLINATOR: Self fertile
AGE OF PLANT: Estimated 1yrs old
MATURE HEIGHT: 1-4" tall & 3-4 wide
WAPATO | DUCK POTATO
PLANTING & GROWING
Tubers and rhizomes can be planted in the fall or early spring. The most important factor for successful planting is providing a moist, saturated environment, either in a pond or a container mimicking a pond.
MEDICINAL BENEFITS
- May relieve headache
- May relieve digestive issues
FLAVOR & PAIRING
Add to anything that you would add potatoes to! Flavor is somewhere between a sweet potato and yam, with sweet chestnut notes.