Pickerelweed Identification & Treatment
Scientific Name: Pontederia cordata Category: Emergent Tier: 3 — Localized — Native, high ecological value
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Identification
Pickerelweed has large, glossy, heart-shaped to lance-shaped leaves on long stalks, with distinctive violet-blue flower spikes. Plants grow 1–3 feet tall in shallow water along shorelines and can form dense colonies. Key distinguishing features:
- Large, glossy, heart-shaped to lance-shaped leaves
- Bright violet-blue flower spikes (summer bloom)
- Grows 1–3 feet tall in shallow water
- Thick rootstock anchored in sediment
Commonly confused with: Arrowhead (arrow-shaped leaves, white flowers), Water Hyacinth (free-floating, not rooted in sediment)
Treatment
Pickerelweed is a highly beneficial native species. Thinning rather than elimination is strongly recommended.
- Glyphosate 5.4 — Applied to actively growing foliage above the water line.
- Clearcast (imazamox) — Systemic option for selective control.
- Manual thinning — Preferred method to maintain stands while creating access.
Important: Pickerelweed provides excellent habitat. Preserve colonies where possible and only thin for access.
Full Profile
- Native Range: Eastern North America
- US Distribution: Eastern and central United States. USDA Zones 3–10.
- Regulatory Status: Not regulated (native). Considered a desirable native plant.
- Habitat: Shallow water margins of ponds, lakes, and streams.
- Reproduction: Rhizomes and seed.
- Ecological Benefits: Excellent. Attracts pollinators, provides cover for fish and amphibians, stabilizes shoreline. One of the most attractive native aquatic plants. Often used in restoration projects.
Sources: Texas A&M AquaPlant | USDA PLANTS Database
Related Species
- Cattails (Typha spp.) — Emergent, Tier 1
- Bulrush (Schoenoplectus spp.) — Emergent, Tier 3
- Arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.) — Emergent, Tier 3
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