Pickerel Weed Pontederia cordata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pontederia cordata var. angustifolia
- Pontederia cordata var. lanceolata
- Pontederia cordata var. lancifolia
- Pontederia lanceolata
- Phonetic Spelling
- pon-te-DARE-ee-uh kor-DAY-tuh
- Description
-
Pickerelweed is a native herbaceous emergent in the Pontederiaceae family. Found growing along shallow shorelines up to 4 feet tall and is found in all areas of NC.
The thick rhizomes spread to form large colonies. Its preference is for freshwater depth up to 12 inches in full sun in rich loamy soils. It can tolerate part sun, poor soils, and occasional flooding up to 20 inches. The tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers last from summer through fall and attract many pollinators. They are held well above the water for a showy long season display. This plant is resistant to browsing by deer and is tolerant of heat.
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 landscapes:
- Water Garden at David Caldwell Historic Park Water Garden in Cabarrus County Koi Pond & Water Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Alba'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Alba'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pontederia
- Species:
- cordata
- Family:
- Pontederiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. North America to Caribbean
- Distribution:
- USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
- Wildlife Value:
- Butterflies and bumblebees visit the blooms for nectar. Members of the genus Pontederia support the following specialized bee: Florilegus condignus. Seeds are eaten by ducks. Under the water, the plants provide some shelter for fish. Dragonflies and damselflies lay eggs on the stems.
- 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. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Water Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- 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:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 3 to 6 in. densely packed spikes of bright lavender-blue tubular flowers are held well above the water and bloom from the bottom up. Individual flowers are 1/2 inch and 6-petaled with two yellow spots on the middle-upper lobe of the corolla. Flowers from summer through fall (around May to October).
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 4 to 10 in. long and 2-5 inches across basal leaves are glossy, erect, deep green, egg- to lance-shaped. Heart or wedge-shaped base with distinctive swirling; apex tapers to a point. Leaves arise directly from the rhizomes. Stem has 1 leaf similar to the basal leaves.
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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:
- Flower stalks are light green, terete, hairless, hollow, and stout.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Heat
- Insect Pests
