Pontederia cordata

Native to Florida

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The native pickerelweed is a very common emersed plant that is commonly found growing in streams, marshes, ditches, ponds and lake margins nearly throughout Florida (Wunderlin, 2003). It is a prolific grower that can cover large areas. Pontederia cordata blooms from spring to summer.

Pickerelweed typically grows to about two to three feet tall. Its leaves are large, up to five inches wide, and are usually twice as long. Leaf shapes are variable, but are usually lance-shaped. The easiest way to recognize pickerelweed is by its spike of violet-blue flowers. Sometimes the flowers are white.

See the UF/IFAS Assessment, which lists plants according to their invasive status in Florida.

View the herbarium specimen image of the University of Florida Herbarium Digital Imaging Projects.