Arching gently skyward, a slender stalk emerges from a still pond. Broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) is the pinnacle of elegance with whorls of white petals gently pleated like fine fabric. More than a beautiful sight, this aquatic plant provides a bounty of pollen and nectar for butterflies, bees and skippers.
While colorful pollinators visit on the petals, katydids hop between broad leaves in search of a suitable home for their eggs. Muskrats and mallards forage for roots and seeds, parting the leaves as they swim by. The gifts of the arrowhead reach even deeper. The submerged stalks play host to the larvae of caddisflies safe in their armored homes woven from silk and pebbles.
Planting broadleaf arrowhead, or other native aquatic plants like spatterdock (Nuphar advena) and American lotus (Nelumbo lutea), in ponds and ditches is an invitation to transform still waters into a rich home for a diverse array of creatures.
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.