Pontederia cordata – Pickerel Weed

A commonly occurring pond plant with an exceptional native range. Upright, with glossy, dark green leaves which lend a tropical appearance to any sunny waterway. They spread slowly to form a dense colony that is sure to dazzle onlookers with their exotic flair. Appealing violet-blue flowers appear in terminal clusters throughout much of the summer. Seed heads droop into the water when ripe, dispersing seeds into the current. The flowers can be collected and used in floral arrangements where they last for a while. An unparalleled specimen plant that makes for a show-stopping addition to any body of water: Koi ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and even swamps.

Pickerel Weed is so named due to the shared habitat of both the plant and fish. It was at one time thought that the plant could only exist where the fish lived – that the plant was a surefire indicator that the Pickerel, also known as Northern Pike, could be found in the bodies of water where the plants grow. These plants are most commonly found in areas where water levels rise and fall periodically throughout the year. A species of Bee native to the Eastern and Central US, the Pickerelweed Shortface (Dufourea novaeangliae), depends entirely on the flowers and does not visit any other species. The ripe seeds are described in literature on edible native plants as being starchy and highly nutritious. They are considered edible raw or roasted and can be made into flour.

Plant in water or along the water’s edge in full to part sun. Emergent in water to about 12″ deep.