(Sagittaria montevidensis)
Status of arrowhead in Tasmania
Arrowhead is a
declared weed in Tasmania under the Tasmanian Biosecurity Act 2019 and associated Regulations. The importation, sale and distribution of arrowhead are prohibited in Tasmania.
The legal responsibilities of landholders and other stakeholders in dealing with arrowhead are laid out in the arrowhead
Statutory Weed Management Plan.
What does arrowhead look like?
Arrowhead is a perennial (long-lived), emergent aquatic herb growing to around 1 metre high.
The above-water leaves are arrow-shaped, 25 cm long and 20 cm wide, and have prominent lobes at the leaf base giving them their arrow-like shape.
Arrowhead also produces submerged leaves that are usually strap-like.
The flowering stems are erect and can reach 75 cm length, and bear whorls of three flowers at the apex.
The flowers are white and three-petalled, occasionally with purple bases.
Arrowhead has fibrous roots and fleshy rhizomes (underground stems).
Spread is via seed. Seed is spread in water, and in mud adhering to machinery, boots and animals. Arrowhead has also been spread as part of the ornamental plant trade.
Image top left: Arrow head, photo: James Manhart
Images above: Arrow head flowers, photos: Hugh Wilson
Impacts of arrowhead
Arrowhead is a native of North and South America.
On mainland Australia, arrowhead has naturalised in New South Wales.
Arrowhead has not naturalised in Tasmania.
What you need to do
If you locate arrowhead anywhere in Tasmania, or if you find a plant that you think could be arrowhead, immediately contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 to report this weed.
More information
Arrowhead Statutory Weed Management Plan (PDF 182Kb)
Weed Links and Resources
Pest Genie
APVMA
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