Pickerelweed

(Pontederia cordata)

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: СССР | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.5 ca | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ca/deed.en | Uploader: The Cosmonaut | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Pontederia_cordata_Parry_Sound_District.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description ={{de|1=Canna flaccida}} |Source ={{own}} |Author =[[User:PeterMansfeld|Peter A. Mansfeld]] |Date =siehe EXIF |Permission = |other_versions = }} [[Category:Canna flaccida]] |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Pontederia cordata, commonly known as pickerelweed, is a perennial herbaceous aquatic plant native to shallow waters of ponds, lakes, and streams in the American continents, including wetland areas and marshes. It typically grows to a height of 2-4 feet and a width of 2 feet, with a clumping habit. The plant is notable for its lance-shaped leaves and spikes of purple flowers with yellow markings, which bloom in late summer and are highly attractive to bees for pollination. The flowers are showy and make a striking display when planted en masse. After flowering, the stem bends to submerge the fruits and seeds, which require stratification to break dormancy. Pickerelweed reproduces both sexually through seeds and asexually via branching rhizomes, allowing it to form extensive colonies.

Pickerelweed is valued for its ornamental qualities and wildlife support in water gardens and naturalized pond settings. It prefers full sun to part shade and thrives in wet, fertile soils with fluctuating water levels. It is relatively low maintenance but may require management to prevent excessive spread in smaller ponds. In cultivation, it is recognized for its ecological benefits, such as providing habitat and food for aquatic wildlife. The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded it the Award of Garden Merit. However, it can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type:
Height: 2-4 feet
Width: 1.5-2 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Blue, Purple
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: High, Aquatic
Drainage: Slow, Standing

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden, Potted Plant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Shallow waters of ponds, lakes, streams, wetland areas, and marshes in the American continents

Other Names

Common Names: Pickerel Weed , Jongsnoekkruid , Pontederie , Herzblättriges Hechtkraut , Langue Du Boeuf , Pontédérie Cordée , Pontédérie À Feuilles En Coeur , Moerashyacint , Pontederia

Scientific Names: Pontederia cordata , Pontederia lanceolata , Pontederia cordata var. cordata , Pontederia cordata var. lancifolia , Pontederia cordata var. lanceolata , Pontederia nymphaeifolia , Pontederia obtusifolia , Pontederia cordata f. angustifolia , Pontederia cordata var. angustifolia , Pontederia lanceolata f. brasiliensis

GBIF Accepted Name: Pontederia cordata L.