Description: Rooted emergent aquatic perennials.
Leaves submerged, emergent or floating. Most species monoecious.
Inflorescence mostly erect with 1–8 3-flowered whorls. Flowers mostly unisexual, female flowers in the lower whorls and male flowers in the upper whorls; occasionally the female flowers with a ring of functional or non-functional stamens. Sepals 3, reflexed in male flowers. Petals 3, usually white. Stamens 6–numerous, whorled. Carpels numerous, 1-ovuled; apparently spirally inserted on a swollen, globose or oblong receptacle.
Aggregate fruit a head of nutlets.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 20 species, mostly New world. Australia: 3 species (naturalized), Qld, N.S.W., Vic., S.A.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Mature emergent leaves linear or lanceolate | Sagittaria platyphylla |
| Mature emergent leaves sagittate | Sagittaria calycina |
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