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Native Plant Society of Texas

Pickerelweed

Pontederia cordata

Pickerel Rush

Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Claire Sorenson
Claire Sorenson
Paul Rothrock, https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Pontederia+cordata&formsubmit=Search+Terms
Paul Rothrock, https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Pontederia+cordata&formsubmit=Search+Terms
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Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map (hover for ecoregion names)

Native Habitat: Wetland or Riparian
Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain

Maintenance

Regularly divide the plant if it gets too large for the garden space. Set up a pond or a water collection tank near a downspout to supplement water.

Comments

True pond plant, pickerelweed is easy to grow so long as it does not dry out. The hyacinth-like flowers continue to bloom through the summer. Pickerelweed provides nectar for bees and butterflies. Good for wetland gardens and habitat.

Growth Form

Wetland

Height

1 to
3 ft

Spread

1 to
3 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Mud

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

High

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

White, Blue, Purple

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Nectar, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Deer, Bees

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Pontederia cordata var. angustifolia, Pontederia cordata var. lanceolata, Pontederia cordata var. lancifolia, Pontederia lanceolata

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 381. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POCO14. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Pontederia+cordata&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=20162&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=42620#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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