Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia
Pontederia cordata L.
Pickerelweed, Pickerel Weed
Pontederiaceae (Pickerelweed Family)
The large pickerelweed plant produces 1
spike of small flowers. The plant is often 3 feet tall, with long, heart-shaped leaves. The flower
stem rises above the leaves except 1 leaf that grows behind the flowers. The deep blue flowers are on a
spike about 6 inches long and bloom in succession from the bottom up, prolonging the flowering period for several days.
This emergent aquatic, with its leaves and flowers above water and portions of the
stem under water, is found typically in shallow, quiet water. The seeds can be eaten like nuts and the young leaf-stalks cooked as greens. Deer also feed on these plants. The common name suggests that this plant, as well as the fish known as pickerel, occupy the same habitat.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Size Notes: 1-3
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: NB ,
NS ,
ON ,
PE ,
QC Native Distribution: Ontario to Nova Scotia and New England; south to northern Florida; west to Missouri and Oklahoma; north to Minnesota.
Native Habitat: In marshes and ditches in shallow water of east Texas. Grows in mud, up to a foot under water.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay, Clay Loam, Mud
Conditions Comments: A true pond plant, pickerelweed is easy to grow so long as it does not dry out. The hyacinth-like flowers continue to bloom through the summer. Regularly divide the plant to keep it from growing too large. Pickerelweed provides
nectar for bees and butterflies. Good for wetland gardens and habitat.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Water garden, Bog or pond area
Use Wildlife: Seeds eaten by waterfowl. Attracts dragonflies.
Use Food: Pickerelweed has often been used for food. Each
fruit contains a nutritious, starchy seed that can be eaten straight from the plant or dried and added to granola and other cereals. The dried seeds can also be boiled, roasted to improve flavour or ground into flour. The young leaves have sometimes been eaten raw in salads or boiled and served with butter. (Kershaw)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: Minimal
2012-10-03
