Native Wetland Plants

Sagittaria latifolia, Duck potato, is a vigorous aquatic perennial that typically grows 2-4’ tall. Known for its arrowhead-shaped leaves, Sagittaria latifolia commonly grows submerged in shallow water or out of water on ...

Sagittaria rigida, Grass Leaf Arrowhead, is found in swamps, bogs, marshes, and shallow waters in both mud and sandy soils. The arrow-shaped long thin foliage grows to 2' tall above the water line in sun to partial shade with small...

Saururus cernuus, Lizard's Tail, is a colonizing perennial with fibrous rhizomes which grows along the edges of ponds, swamps and marshes in sun to part shade. The distinctive heart shaped leaves grow above the water...

Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem, is a warm season, clump forming plant which prefers full sun and tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. Its green foliage grows 4' tall and flowers from July to September. The purplish/...

Schoenoplectus fluviatilis, River Bulrush, is a rhizomatous species that forms very large colonies rather quickly. The thick stems of Scirpus fluviatilis stand 5-7’ tall and bloom in late July to mid August.  Schoenoplect...

Scirpus acutus, Hard Stem Bulrush, is a rhizomatous species that forms dense colonies that provide wonderful cover for waterfowl and spawning fish.  Scirpus acutus will grow from 0-1’ of water and is used to stabilize pond...

Scirpus americanus, Three Square Rush, is a rhizomatous species that forms loose colonies growing 3-4’ tall. Scirpus americanus has a medium spread rate and is a great stabilizer of pond banks and river banks. Three Square Rush provides exce...

Scirpus atrovirens, Green Bulrush, is a broad leaf rush common to wet meadows and swales.  Scirpus atrovirens thrives in full sun to partial and blooms from mid June to late July with attractive dark brown almost black inflorescence. Gre...

Scirpus cyperinus, Woolgrass, gets its name from its fluffy ornamental inflorescence which stands at 4-5’and blooms from late July to early September.  Scirpus cyperinus is a clump forming fine textured broad leaf rush that is common in...

Scirpus tabermontanii, Soft Stem Bulrush, is a rhizomatous species that forms dense colonies and provides excellent cover for waterfowl and spawning fish. It grows 4-5’ tall and blooms in June-July.  Scirpus tabermontanii is common...

Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Blue-Eyed Grass,  grows in moist, well-drained soil in damp open woods, slopes, and along stream banks in full sun to part shade. Despite its grass-like foliage, the Blue-Eyed Grass belongs to the i...

Solidago rugosa, Wrinkled Leaf Goldenrod, is a spectacular member of the Aster family.  Wrinkled Leaf Goldenrod explodes with yellow color to bring a naturalized brilliance to any wetland restoration project. Th...

Sorghastrum nutans, Indiangrass, is widely used in large scale roadside plantings, revegetation projects, prairie restorations, and many different types of erosion control projects because it grows well on disturbed sites and produ...

Sparganium americanum, Lesser bur-reed, is one of several native species of this distinctive native plant. Though looking like grasses or sedges, they are neither, being in their own family (Sparganiaceae). Sparganium american...

Not only are Sparganium eurycarpum, Greater bur-reed, good for providing food and habitat for wildlife, these plants are also extremely useful for improving and maintaining water quality by absorbing nutrients and st...

Symphotrychum novae-angliae, New england Aster, is one of the most attractive and common asters that thrives in moist full sun meadows. From mid August through October, New England Aster produces numerous flowers ranging in color from pale la...

Symphotrichum novi-belgii, New york Aster, with slightly smaller blue flowers than New England Aster, thrives in a more permanently moist habitat. Symphotrichum novi-belgii is a deer resistant PA rare plant that spreads s...

Symphotrichum puniceum, Purplestem Aster, is a common naturalizer of wetlands, stream banks and moist meadows.  Purplestem Aster bares pale blue to pink flowers from mid August through October. Deer resistant an...