Pontederia cordata 'Alba'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- pon-te-DARE-ee-uh kor-DAY-tuh AL-ba
- Description
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White Pickerel Weed is a native herbaceous emergent in the Pontederiaceae family, growing in shallow water up to 10 inches deep. This plant performs a phyto-purifying action, and is often used to improve water quality. It is found in all areas of North Carolina.
Its leaves look almost tropical and provide food and shelter for many animals. The tall spikes of white flowers last from summer through fall and attract many pollinators. Dragonfly use this to lay their eggs as well as for perching and roosting. The larvae use the stems to climb out of the water. The flowers are held well above the water for a showy long season display.
Use this plant along bogs, ponds, or streams. It can also be grown in a large container or water gardens. It is very important to maintain water depths greater than saturation, but shallower than the leaves year-round.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
No serious problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pontederia
- Species:
- cordata
- Family:
- Pontederiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America to Caribbean
- Distribution:
- Canada, south through the United States, east of the Mississippi.
- Wildlife Value:
- Supports the specialized bee - Florilegus (Florilegus) condignus. Laying site for the adult dragonfly.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Seeds can be eaten raw or dried. Young leaves can be used in salads.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Water Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is oblong and 3-celled with one seed that has toothed ridges. Displays from June to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Spike of white ephemeral flowers. Strong odor.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy, heart-shaped leaves with swirled markings., indented at the base and tapers to a point.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Can reach 2' in height.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
