Saururus cernuus

Last updated

Lizard's tail
Saururus cernuus 2.jpg
S. cernuus, foliage and inflorescence
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Piperales
Family: Saururaceae
Genus: Saururus
Species:
S. cernuus
Binomial name
Saururus cernuus
L.

Saururus cernuus (lizard's tail, water-dragon, dragon's tail, swamp root) is a medicinal and ornamental plant native to eastern North America. It grows in wet areas or shallow water, and can be up to about a meter tall. [1] The native range covers much of the eastern United States, as far west as eastern Texas and Kansas, south to Florida, and north to Michigan and New York state. Saururus cernuus also occurs in Ontario Canada. [1] It is an obligate wetland plant and able to grow in saturated soils. [2]

Contents

Saururus cernuus is a herbaceous perennial that gets its most frequent common name, lizard's tail, from its white flowers that bloom in the summer months. [2] The inflorescence is usually 6 to 8 in long. [3] After floral maturity the white flowers turn brown, giving the plant its namesake, lizard's tail. [3] The leaves are usually heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, or lance-shaped, and are arranged alternately on the stem. [3] When the leaves are crushed they release a citrus or sassafras aroma. [3] [2]

As an aquatic plant, S. cernuus is an important food source for many wetland animals, including beavers. [4] In an exclusion study beavers reduced the prevalence of S. cernuus by 45%. [4]

Its medicinal properties have been used to treat swelling in the body. [2] Cherokee and Chocktaw Native Americans mashed up S. cernuus roots as a poultice, and applied the plant to soothe inflammation of the breasts and back. [5] [6] The Seminoles used the plant as an antirheumatic, as well as a way to soothe fevers and body aches. [7]

Description

Saururus cernuus is a wetland plant that commonly grows to 2 to 3 ft in height. [8] It is herbaceous and can be distinctively identified during the flowering season. [9] Flowering occurs during the summer months, May to early August, blossoming with small white flowers composing a spike inflorescence 3–6 in long. [10] Flowers are simple, and have 6 or fewer stamens and 3 or fewer carpels. [11] Due to formation of dense rhizomes, lizard's tail can be very competitive for below-ground resources. [11] Leaves are heart-shaped (cordate) and alternate along the stem of the plant. [11]

Synonyms include Saururus cernuus f. submersus Glück. [12]

Distribution and habitat

Saururus cernuus L. is distributed throughout Southeastern United States, normally within marshes, along the edges of streams or lakes. The Range includes the mid-Atlantic states to Florida. [13] Lizards tails are found in freshwater wetlands, normally submerged in shallow water. [14] Saururus cernuus can thrive in saturated soil, and can also tolerate shading by larger trees. [15] Rhizomes are abundantly present within this species, reaching lengths up to 3 meters. [8] Their rhizomes spread laterally below the soil. [10] These rhizomes are characterized with a linear series of nodes that follow along the tip of the rhizomes. [10] Seeds are dispersed in autumn, and are light green, then turn brown. [11]

Uses

Saururus cernuus have been used to restore and create wetlands. Native plant nurseries sell rhizomes for wetland restoration. [15] Native Americans and early settlers used lizards tail for their medicinal properties. [6] Lizard's tail rhizomes were ground and used as a sedative, to treat swelling and inflammation, and to lower fevers. [7] [16]

Conservation status

Lizards tail are abundantly present throughout the United States. [11] In fact, this plant can potentially outcompete other species of plants [11] Saururus cernuus form lengthy rhizomes that can out compete within their herbaceous layer. [8]

Etymology

The genus name Saururus is from the Greek word, sauros meaning "lizard" and oura meaning "tail". The species name "cernuus" is Latin and refers to the plant's drooping and distinctive inflorescence. [15] [17]

Interactions with beetles

Studies show a possible connection with longhorn beetles and S. cernuus. [18] Mating of three different species of longhorn beetles have been observed in association with S. cernuus: Strangalia luteicornis , Typocerus lugubris , and Typocerus velutinus velutinus. Moreover, 29 other species of beetles have been observed on S. cernuus. [18] Flowers and fruits of S. cernuus are a likely food source for many beetles. [18]

Interactions with beavers

Herbivores such as the North American beaver ( Castor canadensis ) have had a strong impact on aquatic plants. [19] Beavers often chose this lizard's tail plant rather than other plants that may thrive within the area. [19] Studies show that in areas where beavers are present, lizard's tail are less likely to be observed. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beaver</span> Genus of mammal

Beavers are large, semiaquatic rodents of the Northern Hemisphere. There are two existing species: the North American beaver and the Eurasian beaver. Beavers are the second-largest living rodents, after capybaras, weighing up to 50 kg (110 lb). They have stout bodies with large heads, long chisel-like incisors, brown or gray fur, hand-like front feet, webbed back feet, and tails that are flat and scaly. The two species differ in skull and tail shape and fur color. Beavers can be found in a number of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. They are herbivorous, consuming tree bark, aquatic plants, grasses and sedges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herbivore</span> Organism that eats mostly or exclusively plant material

A herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically evolved to feed on plants, especially upon vascular tissues such as foliage, fruits or seeds, as the main component of its diet. These more broadly also encompass animals that eat non-vascular autotrophs such as mosses, algae and lichens, but do not include those feeding on decomposed plant matters or macrofungi.

<i>Typha</i> Genus of flowering plants in the family Typhaceae

Typha is a genus of about 30 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Typhaceae. These plants have a variety of common names, in British English as bulrush or reedmace, in American English as cattail, or punks, in Australia as cumbungi or bulrush, in Canada as bulrush or cattail, and in New Zealand as reed, cattail, bulrush or raupo. Other taxa of plants may be known as bulrush, including some sedges in Scirpus and related genera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbird</span> Family of birds

Sunbirds and spiderhunters make up the family Nectariniidae of passerine birds. They are small, slender passerines from the Old World, usually with downward-curved bills. Many are brightly coloured, often with iridescent feathers, particularly in the males. Many species also have especially long tail feathers. Their range extends through most of Africa to the Middle East, South Asia, South-east Asia and southern China, to Indonesia, New Guinea and northern Australia. Species diversity is highest in equatorial regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nutria</span> Semi-aquatic species of the spiny rat family

The nutria or coypu is a herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent from South America. Classified for a long time as the only member of the family Myocastoridae, Myocastor has since been included within Echimyidae, the family of the spiny rats. The nutria lives in burrows alongside stretches of water and feeds on river plant stems. Originally native to subtropical and temperate South America, it was introduced to North America, Europe and Asia, primarily by fur farmers. Although it is still hunted and trapped for its fur in some regions, its destructive burrowing and feeding habits often bring it into conflict with humans, and it is considered an invasive species in the United States. Nutria also transmit various diseases to humans and animals, mainly through water contamination.

<i>Hippuris vulgaris</i> Species of plant

Hippuris vulgaris, known as mare's-tail or common mare's-tail, is a common aquatic plant of Eurasia and North America ranging from Greenland to the Tibetan Plateau to Arizona. It prefers non-acidic waters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alismataceae</span> Family of flowering plants comprising the water-plantains

The water-plantains (Alismataceae) are a family of flowering plants, comprising 20 genera and 119 species. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution, with the greatest number of species in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most of the species are herbaceous aquatic plants growing in marshes and ponds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saururaceae</span> Family of flowering plants

Saururaceae is a plant family comprising four genera and seven species of herbaceous flowering plants native to eastern and southern Asia and North America. The family has been recognised by most taxonomists, and is sometimes known as the "lizard's-tail family". The APG IV system assigned it to the order Piperales in the clade magnoliids.

<i>Iris pseudacorus</i> West Eurasian species of iris

Iris pseudacorus, the yellow flag, yellow iris, or water flag, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa. Its specific epithet pseudacorus means "false acorus", referring to the similarity of its leaves to those of Acorus calamus, as they have a prominently veined mid-rib and sword-like shape. However, the two plants are not closely related.

<i>Aristolochia californica</i> Species of flowering plant

Aristolochia californica, the California pipevine, California Dutchman's-pipe, or California snakeroot is a perennial woody vine of western North America.

<i>Nuphar lutea</i> Species of flowering plant

Nuphar lutea, the yellow water-lily, brandy-bottle, or spadderdock, is an aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeaceae, native to northern temperate and some subtropical regions of Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. This species was used as a food source and in medicinal practices from prehistoric times with potential research and medical applications going forward.

<i>Nymphaea odorata</i> Species of aquatic plant

Nymphaea odorata, also known as the American white waterlily, fragrant water-lily, beaver root, fragrant white water lily, white water lily, sweet-scented white water lily, and sweet-scented water lily, is an aquatic plant belonging to the genus Nymphaea. It can commonly be found in shallow lakes, ponds, and permanent slow moving waters throughout North America where it ranges from Central America to northern Canada. It is also reported from Brazil and Guyana.

<i>Pontederia cordata</i> Species of aquatic plant

Pontederia cordata, common name pickerelweed (USA) or pickerel weed (UK), is a monocotyledonous aquatic plant native to the Americas. It grows in a variety of wetlands, including pond and lake margins across an extremely large range from eastern Canada south to Argentina. A few examples include northern rivers, the Everglades and Louisiana.

When discussing population dynamics, behavioral ecology, and cell biology, recruitment refers to several different biological processes. In population dynamics, recruitment is the process by which new individuals are added to a population, whether by birth and maturation or by immigration. When discussing behavioral ecology and animal communication, recruitment is communication that is intended to add members of a group to specific tasks. Finally, when discussing cell biology, recruitment is the process by which cells are selected for certain tasks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cypress dome</span> Swamp dominated by pond or bald cypress

A cypress dome is a type of freshwater forested wetland, or a swamp, found in the southeastern part of the United States. They are dominated by the Taxodium spp., either the bald cypress, or pond cypress. The name comes from the dome-like shape of treetops, formed by smaller trees growing on the edge where the water is shallow while taller trees grow at the center in deeper water. They usually appear as circular, but if the center is too deep, they form a “doughnut” shape when viewed from above. Cypress domes are characteristically small compared to other swamps, however they can occur at a range of sizes, dependent on the depth.

Lepidosaur herbivory describes herbivorous lepidosaurs. Living non-avian reptiles form a paraphyletic group that consists of over 9,000 species of crocodiles, turtles, and lepidosaurs. The most diverse group, Lepidosauria, is first known from the Middle Triassic fossils, but likely originated in the Permian. Living lepidosaurs, which include snakes, lizards, and rhynchocephalians, occupy a wide range of environments and niches. The lepidosaurs have many similar anatomical morphology like transverse cloaca, distal tongue, superficial teeth attachment, fused pelvic bones etc. Though widely viewed as obligate carnivores, a small number of lepidosaurs are known to consume plant material. For example, there are roughly 3,300 species of living lizards and approximately 3% of them eat at least some plants. Though the exact definition of herbivory varies significantly between scientists, most define herbivorous lepidosaurs as those that consume plants for approximately 70-90% of its diet.

<i>Typocerus lugubris</i> Species of beetle

Typocerus lugubris is a species of flower longhorn in the beetle family Cerambycidae. It is found in North America. It has been observed mating on Saururus cernuus, with the female consuming pollen from the plant.

<i>Strangalia luteicornis</i> Species of beetle

Strangalia luteicornis is a species of flower longhorn in the family of beetles known as Cerambycidae. It is found in North America. It has been observed mating on Hydrangea arborescens and Saururus cernuus, with the female consuming pollen from the latter plant.

<i>Juncus marginatus</i> Species of grass

Juncus marginatus is a species of flowering plant, it is a type of rush with the common names of margined rush and grass-leaf rush.

References

  1. 1 2 "Saururus cernuus". Flora of North America .
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Saururus cernuus – UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants". plants.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  4. 1 2 Parker, John D.; Caudill, Christopher C.; Hay, Mark E. (2006-12-16). "Beaver herbivory on aquatic plants". Oecologia. 151 (4): 616–625. doi:10.1007/s00442-006-0618-6. ISSN   0029-8549. PMID   17180372. S2CID   16924452.
  5. Bushnell, David I. Jr. (1909). The Choctaw of Bayou Lacomb, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. G.P.O. OCLC   32137526.
  6. 1 2 Witthoft, John (April 1948). "Will West Long, Cherokee Informant". American Anthropologist. 50 (2): 355–359. doi: 10.1525/aa.1948.50.2.02a00250 . ISSN   0002-7294.
  7. 1 2 Sturtevant, William, 1954, The Mikasuki Seminole: Medical Beliefs and Practices, Yale University, PhD Thesis, page 204
  8. 1 2 3 Johnson, Duncan S. (July 1900). "On the Development of Saururus cernuus L." Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 27 (7): 365–372. doi:10.2307/2478248. JSTOR   2478248.
  9. "Saururus cernuus". Flora of North America .
  10. 1 2 3 "Saururus cernuus – UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants". plants.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Saururus cernuus L. Lizard's Tail". scholar.googleusercontent.com. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
  12. "Saururus cernuus f. submersus Glück — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
  13. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Saururus cernuus". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
  14. Parker, John D.; Caudill, Christopher C.; Hay, Mark E. (2006-12-16). "Beaver herbivory on aquatic plants". Oecologia. 151 (4): 616–625. doi:10.1007/s00442-006-0618-6. ISSN   0029-8549. PMID   17180372. S2CID   16924452.
  15. 1 2 3 Silberhorn, Gene (1970). "Lizard's Tail Saururus Cernuus L." Reports (93–9). doi:10.21220/M2-R2FX-1C66.
  16. Banks, William (1953-03-01). "Ethnobotany of the Cherokee Indians". Masters Theses.
  17. "Latin Definition for: cernuus, cernua, cernuum (ID: 9120) - Latin Dictionary and Grammar Resources - Latdict". latin-dictionary.net.
  18. 1 2 3 Steury, Brent W. (2019). "Beetles (Coleoptera) Associated with Flowers of Lizard's Tail, Saururus cernuus L. (Saururaceae), in Calvert County, Maryland". The Maryland Entomologist. 7 (3): 11.
  19. 1 2 3 Parker, John D.; Caudill, Christopher C.; Hay, Mark E. (2007-04-01). "Beaver herbivory on aquatic plants". Oecologia. 151 (4): 616–625. Bibcode:2007Oecol.151..616P. doi:10.1007/s00442-006-0618-6. ISSN   1432-1939. PMID   17180372. S2CID   16924452.