Marginal

Pontederia cordataL.

Pickerelweed, Pickerel Rush

The large pickerelweed plant produces 1spikeof small flowers. The plant is often 3+ feet tall, with long, heart-shaped leaves. The flowerstemrises above the leaves except 1 leaf that grows behind the flowers. The deep blue to mauve flowers are on aspikeabout 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 thestemunder water, is found typically in shallow, quiet water. Deer feed on these plants. The common name suggests that this plant, as well as the fish known as pickerel, occupy the same habitat.