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Lizard's Tail

Saururus cernuus

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Partial to Shade
Soil moisture
Wet to Medium-Wet
Bloom time
Jun–Sep
Bloom color
White

About Lizard's Tail

Lizard's Tail is a distinctive wetland perennial named for its unique, drooping spikes of fragrant white flowers that resemble the tail of a lizard. Reaching heights of 2 to 4 feet, this plant features attractive heart-shaped leaves that remain lush throughout the growing season. It is native to the eastern United States, where it is commonly found in marshes, swamps, and along the shallow edges of slow-moving streams. The nodding flower spikes bloom from mid to late summer, emitting a pleasant citrus-like scent that attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Because it can grow directly in shallow water or very saturated soil, it is an ideal choice for rain gardens, pond margins, or boggy areas where other plants might struggle. Lizard's Tail spreads via rhizomes to form dense colonies, providing excellent cover for aquatic life and stabilizing shorelines against erosion. It performs best in partial to full shade but can tolerate more sun if the soil remains consistently wet.

Native range

Native to 30 states:

AlabamaArkansasConnecticutD.C.DelawareFloridaGeorgiaIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachusettsMarylandMichiganMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaNew JerseyNew YorkOhioOklahomaPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaTennesseeTexasVirginiaWisconsinWest Virginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Saururus cernuus

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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