Saururus cernuus L.

Lizard's Tail; Water Dragon

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Lizard's Tail is a native herbaceous perennial in the Lizard's-Tail family (Saururaceae). It is the only native member of its family in Alabama. The related Chameleon Plant (Houttuynia cordata Thunberg) is often planted as an ornamental for its colorful foliage, and has been reported as an escape in Tuscaloosa County. Lizard's Tail can be found throughout Alabama. It grows in wet areas around ponds and sloughs, in roadside ditches, in beaver ponds, and in swamp forests. It is a perennial from a thick rhizome. It often forms large colonies. Stems are upright, 1-3 feet tall, pubescent when young, glabrate when older, green in color, and often thickened and spongy at the base. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, cordate in shape, with entire margins. The leaves are pubescent when young and glabrate when older. Flowers are produced in racemes opposite a leaf or terminal. Racemes are nodding when young and erect as they age. The fruit is a schizocarp. All parts of the plant produce a mild citrus odor. Lizard's Tail is an excellent plant for water gardens. It grows best in water that is eight inches or less in depth, and prefers some sun. It will grow in full shade though plants will be less vigorous and produce fewer flowers. Lizard's Tail can be found at many nurseries that sell plants for outdoor pools, or it can be grown from seed or from pieces of the rhizome. This plant can be very vigorous, and should be confined to a pot to restrict its rhizomes.--A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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