Saururus cernuus aka Lizard's Tail

Saururus cernuus is a wetland perennial from eastern North America. Gardeners know it as lizard's tail or American swamp lily. It belongs to the Saururaceae family. Its range includes Ontario and Quebec, extending south into the United States. It grows in swamps, wet ground, and shallow water. Wild plants also grow in slightly brackish water.

This plant forms clumps and spreads into broad colonies over time. Garden sources place its height around 3–4 feet [0.9–1.2 metres]. RHS gives a taller range, reaching 5 feet [1.5 metres]. Reported clump widths reach about 1.6–2 feet [0.5–0.6 metres]. Its green stems stand upright and follow a zigzag pattern. The leaves grow alternately and have smooth edges without hairs. Their shape ranges from narrow to triangular, with heart-shaped bases. Veins fan out from the base of each leaf. Leaves measure 0.25–0.5 feet [0.08–0.15 metres] long. The plant sheds its leaves for winter.

Small white flowers crowd into long, slender racemes opposite leaves. Their curved, drooping tips give the plant its tail-like look. Most flower spikes measure 0.3–0.5 feet [0.10–0.15 metres]. Some reach 1 foot [0.30 metres] in length. Flowers, leaves, and roots have a citrus or sassafras scent. North Carolina plants bloom from May through September. Chicago Botanic Garden lists flowering from May through October. The capsules start green and have a rough, wart-like surface. They later turn brown or copper. North Carolina plants bear fruit from August through November.

Grow it in boggy soil or along a pond edge. RHS recommends water no deeper than 0.33 feet [0.10 metres]. Full sun and partial shade suit it. Chicago also reports growth in full shade. It accepts clay, loam, and sand, with a broad pH range. Sources rate it for USDA zones 3–9 and UK H7. Growth is fast, and routine care is light. Divide plants in spring and cut them back after flowering.

Use it in water gardens, tubs, or ornamental pools. It also serves as ground cover in wet borders. Its colonies provide shelter for wood ducks. Deer resistance adds value in native and shade gardens. Its strong spread can make it weedy. Sources report few serious pest or disease problems. Plants For A Future lists no known edible uses. It records traditional root poultices and leaf remedies, not proven treatments. It reports no known hazards, but this does not establish safety.