Saururus cernuus

Species of flowering plant in the family Saururaceae

Saururus cernuus (lizard's tail, water dragon, dragon's tail, swamp root) is a medicinal and ornamental plant native to eastern North America. It grows in wet areas or shallow water, and can be up to about a meter tall. It is an obligate wetland plant and able to grow in saturated soils. Saururus cernuus is a herbaceous perennial that gets its most frequent common name, lizard's tail, from its white flowers that bloom in the summer months. After floral maturity the white flowers turn brown, giving the plant its namesake, lizard's tail. In an exclusion study beavers reduced the prevalence of S. cernuus by 45%. It is herbaceous and can be distinctively identified during the flowering season. Flowering occurs during the summer months, May to early August, blossoming with small white flowers composing a spike inflorescence 3–6 in long. Flowers are simple, and have 6 or fewer stamens and 3 or fewer carpels. Synonyms include Saururus cernuus f. submersus Glück.

Saururus cernuus L. is distributed throughout Southeastern United States, normally within marshes, along the edges of streams or lakes. The Range includes the mid Atlantic states to Florida. Lizards tails are found in freshwater wetlands, normally submerged in shallow water. Saururus cernuus can thrive in saturated soil, and can also tolerate shading by larger trees. Rhizomes are abundantly present within this species, reaching lengths up to 3 meters. Lizard's tail rhizomes were ground and used as a sedative, to treat swelling and inflammation, and to lower fevers.

Lizards tail are abundantly present throughout the United States.

Studies show a possible connection with longhorn beetles and S. cernuus. Mating of three different species of longhorn beetles have been observed in association with S. cernuus: Strangalia luteicornis, Typocerus lugubris, and Typocerus velutinus velutinus. Moreover, 29 other species of beetles have been observed on S. cernuus. Beavers often chose this lizard's tail plant rather than other plants that may thrive within the area. Studies show that in areas where beavers are present, lizard's tail are less likely to be observed.