What does it look like?
Californian arrowhead is an upright, perennial aquatic herb that grows up to 1m tall on the margins of waterways in both salt and fresh water. The arrow shaped leaves are large, glossy green, and on stalks above the water. Flowers have 3 large white petals with a purple and yellow blotch at the base on a leafless stalk.
Why is it a problem?
Californian arrowhead forms dense stands of vegetation that suppresses plants and restricts water flow in water courses (including streams, wetlands, ponds, lake margins) and drains. Wind, water, machinery, wildlife and people can spread this plant.
Control methods
Please contact us for control advice.
Related links
Management Programme
National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA)
The NPPA is designed to prevent the sale, distribution and propagation of a set list of pest plants (the Accord list) within New Zealand. If allowed to spread further, these pest plants could seriously damage the New Zealand economy and environment.
More informationUnwanted Organism
An unwanted organism is any organism that's capable of causing harm to natural or physical resources (like forests and waterways) or human health. A number of introduced pests in New Zealand are classed as unwanted.
Taxonomies
FamilyAlismataceae
TypePlants
GroupPerennial
HabitatFreshwater
Management ProgrammeNational Pest Plant Accord (NPPA)Unwanted Organism
