Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus)

Photographic Location: Old Stone Fort State Park in Tennessee

This wildflower is a member of the Acanthus Family (Acanthaceae).

An upright, hairy perennial, growing to 4 ft. in height. Slender, nodding, solitary spikes of tiny, white flowers occur opposite a leaf. Leaves are lance-shaped to nearly triangular with a cordate base. Many tiny, fragrant, white flowers are on a slender, tapering, stalked spike with a drooping tip.

This is a mostly southern species of shaded marshes and stream margins. The common name and the genus name, from the Greek sauros (lizard) and oura (tail), depict the shape of the drooping flower cluster.

For more information about this wildflower, Click Here.