wetland wildflower
Lizard's tail
Saururus cernuus
Also known as Lizard Tail, Breastweed, Water Dragon
1 of 3Native to much of the USA
Southern New England to Michigan and Illinois, south to Florida and Texas
- Light Part shade to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 5–10 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Aug Flowering time
- Height up to 4 ft to 1.2 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for part to full shade and consistently moist to wet soil. At up to 4 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–10.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Beetles Margined Leatherwing Beetle also Banded Longhorn Beetle, Yellow-horned Flower Longhorn Beetle, Thin-tailed Longhorned Beetle
- Flower flies Oblique Streaktail also Eurasian Drone Fly, Wavy Mucksucker
- Bees Brown-belted Bumble Bee also Western Honey Bee
- Also visited by
- Butterflies: Red Admiral
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Red admiralnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USAUnited States (29): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Southern New England to Michigan and Illinois, south to Florida and TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Part shade to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–10 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Wet soils. MudThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 4 ft (to 1.2 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–AugWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- SchizocarpThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- Poisonous if eatenWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.