Lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus)
Description
Found in wet or swampy areas, Lizard’s tail has simple, palmate leaves in an alternate arrangement vary in shape from triangular to lanceolate. Lizard’s tail produces small white (less than one inch) flowers in a long raceme in late spring through summer leading to a brown or green wart-like fruit in the late summer through fall. The plant smells of citrus or sassafras.
Gardening Tips
| Care | Known Problems | How to Harvest | Mature Size | Notes/Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lizard’s tail does well in a variety of soil types given the moisture content is high and requires full sun or part shade | n/a | Harvest flowers in the spring/summer and the fruits in the summer/fall | height: up to four feet width: up to two feet |
Wildlife cover for wood ducks; It was used by Native Americans as an anti-inflammatory and for fevers |