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Sagittaria cuneata - Sheldon.

Wapato

Author	Sheldon.	Botanical references	43, 200, 270
Family	Alismataceae	Genus	Sagittaria
Synonyms	Sagittaria arifolia - Nutt. ex J.G. Sm..
Known Hazards	None known
Range	N. America - Nova Scotia to British Columbia, south to Connecticut, Kansas, and California.
Habitat	Calcareous or muddy shores and shallow waters of rivers, lakes, ponds, pastures, and ditches, occasional in tidal waters, or in deep flowing water with slow current; 100 - 2500 metres[43, 270].
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.8m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires wet soil and can grow in water.

Habitats

Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root.

Root - raw or cooked[257]. Slightly bitter raw[212], the roasted tubers are sweet-tasting[159, 161]. Those tubers found at the end of the rootstock are the best[159]. When broken off from the roots the tubers rise to the water surface and are then easily gathered[212].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Analgesic; Stomachic.

The plant has been used to treat headaches[257]. The corms have been eaten as a treatment for indigestion[257].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

A pond or bog garden plant, it requires a moist or wet loamy soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. Succeeds in shallow, still or slowly flowing water. Plants are usually monoecious but dioecious forms are sometimes found[43]. A very polymorphic species[43]. In mud or shallow water the leaves are broad, but in deep water the plant only produces long slender leafstalks[212]. This plant has potential for commercial cultivation as a root crop[212].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in about 5cm of water. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and gradually increase the depth of water as the plants grow until it is about 5cm above the top of the pot. Plant out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Division of the tubers in spring or autumn. Easy. Runners potted up at any time in the growing season.

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Alternative Root Crops.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[43] Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950
A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.

[159] McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977 ISBN 0-253-28925-4
A nice pocket guide to this region of America.

[161] Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. 0
A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[212] Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963 ISBN 63-7093
Excellent little pocket guide to the area, covering 590 species and often giving details of their uses.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

[270] Flora of N. America 0
An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Sagittaria cuneata

Jeff Frontz Sat May 6 2006

Anyone know of a source for sagittaria cuneata seed (or bulbs/roots) in the US?

Sagittaria cuneata

Jeff Frontz Wed Nov 1 2006

Found a source for seed in the US: Western Native Seed PO Box 188 Coaldale, CO 81222 719-942-3935 info@westernnativeseed.com

Western Native Seed Source for seed

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