Alisma plantago-aquatica

Alisma plantago-aquatica is an aquatic rhizomatous perennial. It is also commonly known as Water Plantain, European Water Plantain, Common Water Plantain, Thumbwort, Devil’s Spoon, or Mad Dog Weed. It belongs to the Alismataceae family of plants. It is native to Southern Europe and Northern Africa.

I came across this plant at Kew Garden’s Waterlily House.

Did you know Waterlily House was actually built in 1852 to showcase the Victoria amazonica? They were first seen in Bolivia in 1801 and later named Victoria amazonica after Queen Victoria. The name of the Alisma plantago-aquatica is Alisma from Celtic meaning water and Plantago, Latin for the look of its leaves from the same-named plant, also known as Plantain.

Alisma plantago-aquatica has elliptic leaves that form a basal rosette that grows to about 30cm or 12in. It blooms with panicles of tiny white (sometimes purple) flowers and leaves that open on tall stalks that grow to about 50cm or 25in. It is a deciduous plant. It flowers in the summer. The tiny flowers are about 1cm or 1/8″. They have 3 petals.

Grow them in the sun. Plant them in the pond margins and actual water up to 30cm or 12in deep. Alisma plantago-aquatica is pest-free and disease-free and low maintenance, however, you should deadhead the flowers to prevent self-seeding. You can propagate from seed or rhizome division.