Dig into Plants: Lizard's Tail

Lizard’s Tail

Other Common Names: Lizard Tail, Breastweed, Water Dragon

Scientific Name: Saururus cernuus

Native to Alabama: Yes

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Sally and Andy Wasowski

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Basic Plant Information

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database – Larry Allain

I am a vascular plant with no woody stems above ground, so I am herbaceous.
I do not keep leaves year-round, so I am deciduous.
I die back in winter but regrow in spring for many seasons, so I am perennial.
I can grow 1 – 3 feet high and 1 – 2 feet wide.

Ecological Benefits

This plant provides food for:

Butterflies

Other Pollinators

Other Birds

Other ecological benefits: Seeds are food source for Wood Ducks

Maintenance Notes

Dormant in winter.
It is best to contain it in a pot with no holes and be watchful that it doesn’t creep over the edge, as it grows vigorously and can take over quickly.
When watering, hold hose to base of plant for a count of 5 seconds. Water should reach all roots.
Avoid sprinkling water on the leaves.
Requires moist to wet soil at all times.

Moist to wet soil at all times: water three times per week.

Habitat Requirements

This plant prefers:

Part Sun/ Shade
(2-6 hours of sun per day)

Shade
(Less than 2 hours of sun per day)

Prefers wet to moist soil at all times

Sandy, Loamy, Clay,
or Moist Soil

Leaf, Flower & Seed Identification

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Sally and Andy Wasowski

LEAF DESCRIPTION

Green leaves and stems are hairy when young and smooth when older; leaves are 3-6 inches long; stem zigzags and is often thickened and spongy at the base; palmately veined

Leaf Characteristics Chart (PDF)


Shape: Cordate	Margin: Entire/Smooth

Arrangement: Alternate	Form: Simple

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Ray Mathews

FLOWER DESCRIPTION

Clusters of tiny white, finger-like flowers connected by short stalks at equal distances along central stem (raceme); raceme is produced opposite of a leaf and looks like a bottlebrush; clusters droop when young but become erect as they age; flowers have citrus aroma

Flower Shape Chart (JPG)


Color: White	Shape: Achlamydeous (“naked” – no petals or sepals)	Bloom Months: Apr – Aug

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Collene Sweeney

SEED DESCRIPTION

Plant spreads by:
Seeds and Rhizomes/ Tubers/ Roots & Shoots
This plant can be very vigorous, and should be confined to a pot to restrict its rhizomes


Type: Fruit – Dry Seed Pod	Description: Small, warty fruits take the place of flowers once they’re spent; the dry, brown fruit splits open to release small seeds	Months in Seed: Fall – Winter

Plant Life Cycle

Plant Life Cycle:

All plants start life as a seed.
The seed turns into a sprout when it grows roots.
The sprout becomes a seedling as grows a stem and leaves above the ground.
After the seedling becomes an adult plant it will grow flowers.
After the flowers finish blooming, each flower turns into a seed.
When the seeds fall down to the ground, the plant life cycle starts again.
Each seed can become a plant if it has the food, water and space that it needs to grow.

General Plant Life Cycle – Dreamstime

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

Quick Fact Sheet
(Condensed Species Info)

Plant ID Sign (Text Only):
Ready as-is PDF

Plant ID Sign (With Picture):
Ready as-is PDF

QR Code
(Links to this Webpage)

Plant ID Sign (Text Only):
Editable Word Doc

Plant ID Sign (With Picture):
Editable Word Doc

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