Slough Grass vs Water Arum - TreeTime.ca

Slough Grass vs Water Arum

Calla palustris

Beckmannia syzigachne

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Water Arum
Slough Grass

Water Arum is a native perennial wetland plant known for its showy white oval sheaths (spathe) that surround a yellow-green, cylindrical flower spike (spadix). It has large, oblong, heart-shaped leaves on stems that rise above the water from shallow, spreading rhizomes. The blossoms are followed in late summer by tiny, pear-shaped fruits that ripen to bright red, adding ornamental interest to wet habitats.

Water Arum provides food for birds and small mammals that eat its berries, and its flowers attract pollinators. It can tolerate cold climates and forms colonies in shallow water and saturated soils. It is well-suited for ecological restoration, riparian planting, naturalisation, and habitat projects in wet and shaded environments.

Slough Grass is a hardy grass that will happily grow in any wet soil. It is usually found near water and is common haymaking material or forage.

Slough Grass is also useful for erosion control and land reclamation.

Water Arum Quick Facts

Slough Grass Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: colony-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none

Toxicity: toxic if ingested

Foliage: thin, tubular
Flowers: white sheath around and yellow spike
Flowers: yellowish, green
Bloom time: spring to summer
Berries: red, in clusters
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT
Other Names: bog arum, swamp lily, wild calla, wild dragon
Other Names: sloughgrass, western slough grass