Species › Plants › Lizard's Tail

Lizard's Tail

Saururus cernuus

CommonPlant
Illustration of Lizard's Tail (Saururus cernuus)

Lizard's Tail is an aquatic native wildflower of swamps and shallow ponds in the southeastern United States, producing arching white spikes of fragrant flowers that curl like a lizard's tail over the water surface. It forms large colonies from rhizomes in standing water and provides excellent cover for frogs, snakes, and aquatic birds.

Habitat
Swamps, shallow ponds, and wetland margins in the southeastern United States
Diet
Flowers attract native bees; provides cover for frogs and aquatic wildlife
How common
Common

Best time to see a Lizard's Tail

The best time to see a Lizard's Tail is April–June, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 21,219 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Lizard's Tail? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Lizard's Tail sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Lizard's Tail?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More plants

Loblolly Bay
Loblolly Bay
Gordonia lasianthus
Loblolly Pine
Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda
Lodgepole Pine
Lodgepole Pine
Pinus contorta
Loesel's Twayblade
Loesel's Twayblade
Liparis loeselii
Longleaf Ground Cherry
Longleaf Ground Cherry
Physalis longifolia
Longleaf Lobelia
Longleaf Lobelia
Lobelia elongata
Longleaf Phlox
Longleaf Phlox
Phlox longifolia
Longleaf Pine
Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris