Common name: Pickerel Weed
Pontederia cordata L. APNI* Synonyms: Pontederia lanceolata Nutt. APNI*
Description: Erect, emergent rhizomatous aquatic perennial to 1 m high.
Leaves basal with long petioles and mostly emergent blades, although first-produced leaves may be submerged or floating; mature blades cordate or lanceolate, to 20 cm long and 10 cm wide.
Inflorescence a dense spike-like panicle 5–15 mm long, subtended by a shortly petiolate stem leaf that clasps the stem when cordate. Perianth 10–20 mm long, blue, glandular-hairy outside with yellow markings in the throat. Stamens 6, 3 with long filaments, 3 with short.
Fruit 7–10 mm long, remaining in the withered perianth, style base persistent.
Flowering: during warmer months.
Distribution and occurrence: Naturalized on South Western Slopes; also in Victoria. Native of the Americas. Naturalized in farm dams.
NSW subdivisions: *SWS
Other Australian states: *Vic.
The form with lanceolate leaves and glandular-hairy perianth (the form naturalized) has sometimes been considered a separate species, P. lanceolata. The form with cordate leaves and glabrous perianth is commonly cultivated.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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