Lizard's Tail

Lizard’s Tail (Saururus cernuus)
Also known as: Water Dragon, Swamp Lily

Lizard’s Tail is a distinctive native wetland perennial recognized by its drooping, bottlebrush-like white flower spikes and heart-shaped leaves. Named for the way its flowering stalks resemble a lizard’s tail, this plant thrives in wet soils and shallow water, where it forms lush colonies that support pollinators, aquatic wildlife, and soil stability. It’s a vital component in streambank restoration, rain gardens, and the understory of wetland food forests.

Key Characteristics

• Late Spring to Summer Blooms for Pollinators
  Lizard’s Tail produces long, arching white flower spikes from June through August, rich in nectar and visited by native bees, flies, beetles, and butterflies. The slightly spicy, citrusy fragrance attracts a wide array of beneficial insects during the summer months.

• Streambank Stabilization and Erosion Control
  With strong rhizomatous roots, Lizard’s Tail forms dense colonies that hold soil in place along pond edges, ditches, and wetland margins. It is frequently used in riparian buffer plantings, constructed wetlands, and streambank restoration for its erosion control and habitat value.

• Provides Habitat for Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Wildlife
  The thick foliage offers excellent cover for frogs, salamanders, and wetland birds. It creates a dynamic interface between water and land, supporting amphibians, insects, and other wildlife in riparian ecosystems.

• Grows in Water or Moist Soils
  Lizard’s Tail prefers wet to saturated soils, and it can even grow in shallow standing water up to several inches deep. It is perfect for rain gardens, swales, edges of ponds, and wet woodland gardens. It can also be integrated into permaculture designs where water management is key.

Product Details

• Native range: Eastern and Central North America

• Plant life cycle: Perennial

• Sun requirements: Full sun to part shade

• Soil requirements: Medium-wet to wet, tolerates standing water

• Mature height: 2–4 feet

• Bloom time: June to August

• Bloom color: White

• USDA Hardiness zones: 4–9

Lizard’s Tail is an essential wetland native, offering both beauty and function. With its graceful flower spikes, wildlife value, and soil-holding roots, it’s perfect for naturalizing along water’s edge and creating vibrant riparian ecosystems.