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
All plants on MPI's National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA) are unwanted organisms under the Biosecurity Act 1993 whose formal or casual trade contributes significantly to their spread.
Plants on the Accord cannot legally be propagated, distributed, or sold in New Zealand. If allowed to spread further, these pest plants could seriously damage our economy and environment.
Unwanted 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.
More informationRules
Section 26ZM of the Conservation Act (1987)
In accordance with the Conservation Act 1987 section 26ZM, no person shall transfer live aquatic life or release live aquatic life into any freshwater. This includes native or introduced fish, plants, and invertebrates. The taking and holding of some organisms requires a special permit from MPI.
More informationTaxonomies
FamilyAlismataceae
TypePlants
GroupPerennial
HabitatFreshwater
Management ProgrammeNational Pest Plant AccordUnwanted Organism
