Pickeral weed (Pontederia cordata) is a pretty plant with long, spade-shaped leaves emerging from the water, its blue or blue-violet flowers peeking above the leaves from late spring to early fall. To add drama, one leaf grows behind the flower, effectively framing it.
The flower itself resembles a hyacinth and is about six inches long. It blooms from the bottom up. Each plant sends up only one spike, which lasts for several days then falls off.
Named for the pickeral fish, which is one of the marine species that uses the plant for cover, pickeral weed grows along the edges of ponds, in marshes and wetland areas, and in the water itself, in up to a foot of water.
Pickeral weed is easy to grow, as long as it does not dry out. It can grow in a variety of soils: sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay and mud. Pickeral weed is also tolerant of a wide pH range, thriving from highly acidic soils (4.5 pH) to very alkaline (9.1 pH).The plant grows in sun or partial shade.
Since it’s relatively invasive, dividing it from time to time keeps the plant in check and prevents it from growing too large. Dig the rootball, divide it and replant half of it in the original location. Plant the second portion elsewhere, give it to a neighbor or put it in the compost.
Pickeral weed looks especially attractive growing among cannas, irises and crinums. Plant a swamp rose in the background for a really dramatic element to a pond.
The plant grows wild throughout most of North America from Nova Scotia to Florida, and west to Texas and Oklahoma. An herbaceous perennial, pickeral weed will die back to the root base. In warmer climates, it may live and stay green all year long. Excessive heat and lack of water will affect its appearance though.
Pickeral weed has many uses. Fish and other marine species use the plant for cover and breeding sites. Waterfowl and other birds eat the seeds. The flowers provide nectar for butterflies and bees. Dragonflies use the stalks, leaves and flowers for perches.
Humans have also used pickerel weed for food. The fruit head that appears after the flowers are dissipated holds seeds filled with nutritional value. The starchy nuts can be harvested and eaten raw. Or they can be dried and added to cereal and nut mixes. Additional treatment includes roasting or boiling the seed. This improves the flavor of the nuts. Additionally the seeds can be ground into flour.
People have also eaten the leaves raw or boiled and buttered.
Dragonflies and Damselflies in Garden Ponds
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