Pollinator plant

European Water-plantain

Alisma plantago-aquatica

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Common names

45 names · 29 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Common Water Plantain[1][2]
  • Common Water-Plantain[1][2]
  • Devil's Spoons[3]
+7 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (28)
Dutch
French
Afrikaans
  • Padda-lepel[2]
  • Wateralisma[2]
Belarusian
  • Шальнік трыпутнікавы, ці Водны трыпутнік[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • žabník jitrocelový[2]
Danish
  • Vejbred-skeblad[2]
Estonian
  • harilik konnarohi[2]
Finnish
  • ratamosarpio[2]
German
  • Gemeiner Froschlöffel[1][2]
Hebrew
  • כף-צפרדע לחכית[2]
Hungarian
  • vízi hídőr[2]
Italian
Kazakh
  • Бақажапырақ алисма[2]
Lithuanian
  • Gyslotinis dumblialaiškis[2]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Żabieniec babka wodna[2]
Portuguese
Romanian
  • Limbariță[2]
Russian
  • Частуха обыкновенная[2]
  • Частуха подорожниковая[2]
Serbian
  • Vodena bokvica[2]
  • Водена боквица[2]
Slovak
  • žabník skorocelový[2]
Slovenian
  • trpotčasti porečnik[2]
Swedish
  • kranssvalting[2]
  • svalting[2]
Turkish
  • Çoban Düdüğü[2]
Ukrainian
  • Частуха подорожникова[2]
Welsh
  • Llyriad y dŵr[2]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Alisma plantago-aquatica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • European Water-plantain — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Gemeiner Froschlöffel — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Common Water Plantain — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Common Water-Plantain — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Mad-Dog Weed — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Mud Plantain — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Water Alisma — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Water Plantain — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Grand plantain d'eau — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Plantain d'eau commun — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Mestolaccia comune — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Grote Waterweegbree — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Orelha-de-mula — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
[2] Alisma plantago-aquatica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • European Water-plantain — results[27].names[1]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Gemeiner Froschlöffel — results[27].names[2]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Common Water Plantain — results[27].names[31]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Common Water-Plantain — results[27].names[32]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Mad-Dog Weed — results[27].names[27]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Mud Plantain — results[27].names[24]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Water Alisma — results[27].names[28]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Water Plantain — results[27].names[29]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Grand plantain d'eau — results[27].names[15]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Plantain d'eau commun — results[27].names[7]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Mestolaccia comune — results[27].names[4]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Grote Waterweegbree — results[27].names[12]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Orelha-de-mula — results[27].names[13]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Частуха обыкновенная — results[27].names[3]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • ratamosarpio — results[27].names[5]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • כף-צפרדע לחכית — results[27].names[6]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • žabník jitrocelový — results[27].names[8]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Gyslotinis dumblialaiškis — results[27].names[9]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Vejbred-skeblad — results[27].names[10]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • vassgro — results[27].names[11]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Żabieniec babka wodna — results[27].names[14]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • 澤瀉 — results[27].names[16]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • 東澤瀉 — results[27].names[17]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • svalting — results[27].names[18]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • harilik konnarohi — results[27].names[19]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • 泽泻 — results[27].names[20]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • trpotčasti porečnik — results[27].names[21]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Частуха подорожникова — results[27].names[22]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Шальнік трыпутнікавы, ці Водны трыпутнік — results[27].names[23]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Wateralisma — results[27].names[25]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Padda-lepel — results[27].names[26]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • 澤 瀉 — results[27].names[30]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • vízi hídőr — results[27].names[33]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Limbariță — results[27].names[34]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • kranssvalting — results[27].names[35]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • žabník skorocelový — results[27].names[36]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Бақажапырақ алисма — results[27].names[37]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Водена боквица — results[27].names[38]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Vodena bokvica — results[27].names[39]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Частуха подорожниковая — results[27].names[40]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Llyriad y dŵr — results[27].names[41]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Çoban Düdüğü — results[27].names[42]; taxon id 60253; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
[3] Alisma plantago-aquatica — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Devil's Spoons — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • European Water Plantain — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Mad-Dog Weed — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Thumbwort — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
  • Water Plantain — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
[4] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • water plantain — Page 4, column 1, row top 457 pt; common-name cell after Alisma plantago-aquatica.; Alisma plantago-aquatica.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Alisma plantago-aquatica is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Alismataceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
0.61–0.91 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
0.3–0.61 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Clumping; Erect; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Medium

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Frequent Standing Water

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Europe and Asia, Africa

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Alisma plantago-aquatica in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Low
Plant profile

About this plant

European Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) is a herbaceous plant. It flowers from July to September.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Alisma plantago-aquatica — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 4386732; ID BSH4; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 4386732; ID BSH4; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Alisma plantago-aquatica — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Wildflowers

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 4, column 1, entry Alisma plantago-aquatica (top 457 pt)

    Source checked on .