Plant · GBIF taxon 2766030
pickerelweed
Pontederia cordataAlso known as Pickerel Weed, Heartleaf Pickerelweed
Pickerelweed forms lush colonies of glossy, heart-shaped leaves that rise above shallow wetlands and lake margins. Dense spikes of vibrant violet-blue flowers bloom continuously from late spring through autumn, attracting a multitude of native bees and butterflies. Beneath the water surface, thick rhizomes and submerged stems create vital shelter for young fish, frog tadpoles, and aquatic invertebrates.
AquaticFloweringEmergent
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Waterfowl
- Muskrats
- White-tailed Deer
ThreatsWetland drainage, invasive aquatic plants, water pollution
HabitatsWetlands, pond margins, lake shores, shallow streams
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPontederiaceae
- SpeciesPontederia cordata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from shore or boat without disturbing aquatic habitats.
Responsible observation
- Observation Spotting: Look for tall blue-violet spikes along sunny, shallow wetland margins from late spring through autumn.
- Wildlife Watching: Check the emergent stems near the waterline for dragonflies emerging from their nymph stage.
- Paddling Awareness: Navigate canoes and kayaks carefully around beds to avoid damaging submerged root systems.
Frequent Companion no rights reserved, uploaded by Nonbinary-Naturalist · cc0
Symbiont (c) Eugene Zelenko, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion "fragrant water lily" by USFWS Headquarters is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative Wouter Hagens / Public domain · cc0
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