PROPAGATION OF WILD-DUCK POODS. 
25 
and that the swans in particular feed extensively upon the plant. A 
correspondent of the Biological Survey, Mr. George W. Kussell, of 
Gaston, Oreg., writes that the wapato is fed upon most by the diving 
ducks, as the canvas-back, redhead, and bluebills (scaups), and that 
they seek it whenever they are present in the country where it grows. 
Prof. David Dale Owen, in his report of a geological survey of Wis- 
consin, Iowa, and Minnesota, notes that these tubers afford much 
nourishment to the larger aquatic fowls. The vernacular names swan 
potato and duck potato that 
have been applied to these 
plants give further evidence 
of their value to wild fowl. 
Other local names are swamp 
potato, muskrat potato, Chi- 
nese onion, and water nut. 
The Biological Survey has 
found various parts of Sag- 
ittaria plants in stomachs of 
the following species of 
waterfowl : Mallard, widg- 
eon, green- winged teal, blue- 
winged teal, spoonbill, pin- 
tail, canvas-back, little blue- 
bill, ruddy duck, Canada 
goose, and whooping swan. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLANT. 
The general relations of 
stems, flowers, and tubers are 
the same in the wapato 
(fig. 23) as in the delta po- 
tato, but the shape of the 
leaves is entirely different. 
Both Sagittaria latifolia and 
S. ari folia have arrowhead- 
shaped leaves. These vary 
greatly in the length, width, and shape of the point and barbs and 
in the degree of divergence of the latter. Various forms of leaves 
are illustrated in figure 24. The wapato plant sometimes reaches a 
height of 4 feet. The appearance of the flowers and seed balls is 
much the same as in the delta potato. 
The tubers of S. latifolia (fig. 25) , from six to nine to the plant, are 
formed on runners in the same manner as those of the delta potato, 
Fig. 23. — Young eastern plant of wapato with 
single tuber. (Two thirds natural size.) 
