Willd.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.146682
Element CodePMALI040H0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderAlismatales
FamilyAlismataceae
GenusSagittaria
Other Common Namesbroadleaf arrowhead (EN) Sagittaire à larges feuilles (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsWeakley et al. (2025) recognize Sagittaria latifolia var. pubescens as distinct from typical S. latifolia, but say, "The taxonomic recognition of var. pubescens and var. latifolia as taxonomic entities at variety or species rank has been controversial, with most floras in recent decades dismissing them as trivial phenotypic variation." Haynes and Hellquist in FNA (2000, vol 22) do not recognize distinct varieties, saying "Sagittaria latifolia has been divided into numerous species and varieties. It was divided into two varieties, based upon the presence of pubescence over the entire vegetative plant (C. Bogin 1955; K. Rataj 1972). We have examined numerous specimens and found that many from the southeastern United States are pubescent; we believe that this character alone is insufficient for recognition of the varieties." Kartesz (1994) recognized var. pubescens as distinct, Kartesz (1999) did not.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-07-11
Change Date1984-08-29
Edition Date2025-07-11
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsSagittaria latifolia is an aquatic forb occurring as a native species in shallow tidal or freshwater habitats of North America, Central America (Guatemala), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela). There are several thousand estimated occurrences of this species in its native range, which are potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, pollution, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about trends, but with a large range extent, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, Sagittaria latifolia is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsSagittaria latifolia is native to the Americas, occurring in North America, Central America (Guatemala), and South America (Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela) (FNA 2000, POWO 2025). It is introduced to Europe and Asia (POWO 2025). In North America, Sagittaria latifolia is found from British Columbia east to Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Florida and California in the United States (FNA 2000, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). The native range extent was estimated to be over 26 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are several thousand occurrences in its native range (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Sagittaria latifolia is potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, pollution, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats.