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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. 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, slightly into Ontario. It is an obligate wetland plant, able to grow in inundated, saturated soils.

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

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

Its medicinal properties have been used to treat swelling in the body. 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. The Seminoles used the plant as an antirheumatic, as well as a way to soothe fevers and body aches. New

Saururus cernuus L. (Lizards Tail) is predominately an aquatic species, with medicinal and ornamental values, this species Saururus resides in eastern North America. It can also be an wetland indicator plant. The distribution ranges eastern Texas and Kansas, southern Florida, northern Michigan and New York state, and a shade of Ontario, Canada. Lizards Tail commonly grows in shallow wet areas, and can grow up to a meter in length. It can distinctively be identified by its thick fibrous root system that continuously grows in an upward direction.

Description:

Saururus cernuus is a wetland plant. It is herbaceous and can be distinctively identified during their flowering season. Flowering occurs during the summer months, May to early August, blossoming with white flowers that grow up to 3-6 inches long. Flowers are elongated, leaves are heart-shaped that alternate along the stem of the plant. Lizards tail grows 2-3 feet in height.

Taxonomy:

This species is a member of the Saururaceae family. Members of this family are perennial. Saururus cernuus is considered primarily in the order Piperales. This plant is distinguished by flowers arranged spike or raceme. Flowers are simple, and have 6 or less stamens and 3 or less carpels. Due to formation of dense rhizomes, Lizards tail can be very competitive. Increase distribution of shrubs and trees, can reduce the light consumption for Saururus cernuus lowering their ability to reproduce.

Synonyms include Saururus cernuus f. submersus Glück.

Distribution/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. Lizards tails are found in freshwater wetlands, normally submerged in shallow water. Saururus cernuus can thrive in saturated soil, and can also tolerate shading by larger trees. Rhizomes are abundantly present within this species, reaching lengths up to 3 meters. Their rhizomes spread laterally below the soil. These rhizomes are characterized with a linear series of nodes that follow along the tip of the rhizomes. Seeds are dispersed in autumn, and are light green, then turn brown.

Uses:

Saururus cernuus have been used to restore and create wetlands. Native plant nurseries sell rhizomes for wetland restoration. Early settlers (Cherokee Indians) used Lizards tail for their medicinal properties. Rhizomes would be ground up as an sedative, used to treat swelling, inflammation of the breast and back, and to lower fevers. This root was also used for various aches or wounds.

Conservation status:

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

Etymology:

The original name, resides from the greek word, sauros meaning "lizard" and oura meaning "tail", refers to the plants drooping tip. Beetles(Coleoptera):

Studies show a possible connection with Longhorn beetles, and S. cernuus. In association with S.cernuus, mating was observed in three different species of longhorn beetles, as well as 29 other species of beetles have been observed on S. cernuus. This indicates a potential connection between the Lizards tail and wetland beetles. Flowers and Fruits may be seen as a food source for most beetles.

Beavers(Castor canadensis)

Herbivores such as the North American beaver, have had a strong impact on aquatic plants. Beavers often chose this species of plant predominantly over other plants that may thrive within the area. Studies show that areas where beavers are present, Lizard's tail are less likely to be seen abundantly growing. In relation to S. cernuus, studies indicated that beavers have an direct impact on aquatic plants.