What does it look like?
Delta arrowhead is an emergent aquatic plant that grows up to 80 cm in height and is found in flowing or still fresh water along with marshes and swamps. It has long rhizomes which produce small tubers similar to S. sagittifolia. Large, lance-shaped leaves are held above the water on stems. It also produces strap-shaped submerged leaves. White flowers (6 cm across with 3 petals each) are produced on spikes about the same height as leaves, each producing hundreds of seeds.
Why is it a problem?
Delta arrowhead is an invasive weed with the potential to block waterways. It can be spread by water, wind, machinery, wildlife and people.
Control methods
For more advice, please contact us on 06 835 9200.
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 informationTaxonomies
FamilyAlismataceae
TypePlants
GroupFloating
HabitatFreshwater
Management ProgrammeNational Pest Plant AccordUnwanted Organism
