Pontederia cordata

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Common Name:  Pickerelweed

Full sun, wet to moderately wet moisture level, adapted to a wide range of soils including clay, strongly acid to moderately alkaline pH.  2-4 ft. height, blooms summer into early fall, violet blue flowers, spreads rapidly by both seed and rhizomes.

Germination Code: L

Native Region:  Lightly statewide

This wetland plant has showy flowers and large arrowhead-shaped leaves which are attractive during most of the growing season. Good candidate for backyard ponds when set in containers to control spread, but potted plants require regular division.  Can be invasive and spreads rapidly.  Attracts butterflies and dragonflies.  Ducks eat the seed.

Pickerelweed - Pontederia cordata 3
Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/
Pickerelweed - Pontederia cordata 2
Photo Courtesy of John Hilty http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/