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Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

Florida 4-H Forest Ecology

Lizard's tail: Identifying Characteristics

Habitat:
Lizard's tail grows in both fresh and brackish water and is common in shallow water or along the moist shores of swamps and lakes.

Size/Form:
Lizard's tail is a hardy, aquatic perennial that grows in thick stands and reaches 1½' to 2' tall.

Leaves:
The leaves are simple, alternately arranged, and have an arrowhead or heart shape with rounded lobes. They grow from 4" to 6" long and are dark green in color. The leaf bases clasp around the hairy stem of the plant.

Flowers:
Flowers are white or yellowish-white and dangle in long, slender, arching spikes. They bloom from June through September.

Fruit:
Mature fruits form long, clusters of brown capsules that resemble the tail of a lizard.


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