Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus)
A walk in the Marsh Area reveals a large colony of Lizards-Tail (also known as Water Dragon) growing along the creek bank. This aquatic plant has an inflorescence that resembles a bottle brush made up of a dense cluster of white flowers. As the fruits mature, the brown inflorescence is said to resemble a lizards tail.
Lizard-Tail grows along ditches, streams, ponds, and in other wetland situations. It is a popular water garden plant. Over time, the plant has been used as a general medicine for a variety of illnesses. Lignan compounds and other chemicals in Lizard-Tail have been shown to provide it with chemical defense against aquatic herbivores such as crayfish. Recent biochemical studies indicate that compounds from this plant have potential for treatment of tumors.
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