Family: Pontederiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 288 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Pontederia
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: E. Canada to N. Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil to N. Argentina
Description
Pickerel-weed is a notable aquatic plant belonging to the Pontederiaceae family. Scientifically known as Pontederia cordata, this perennial herbaceous plant has garnered attention since its documentation by renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Pickerel-weed is widely distributed across the Americas, flourishing in a variety of moist habitats. Its range extends from Eastern Canada down to Northern Venezuela, and it is commonly found in Cuba, Brazil, and as far south as Northern Argentina. This extensive geographical distribution is a testament to the plant’s adaptability and resilience in diverse environmental conditions.
Characterized by its vibrant and attractive blue to violet flowers, Pickerel-weed thrives in wetlands, marshes, and along the edges of ponds and streams. It typically grows in clusters, forming dense mats that can provide essential habitat for various aquatic creatures. The plant’s striking appearance and ecological benefits make it a valued species for water gardens and naturalized aquatic landscapes.
Pickerel-weed’s cordate (heart-shaped) leaves are another distinguishing feature, offering a lush, green backdrop to its colorful blooms. These leaves play a crucial role in the plant’s ecosystem, contributing to water quality by filtering pollutants and stabilizing soil with their roots.
In addition to its ecological importance, Pickerel-weed has intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts for centuries. Its ability to thrive in water-logged soils and its aesthetic qualities have made it a subject of study and admiration, cementing its place in both natural and cultivated settings.
Whether observed in its native habitats or grown purposefully in controlled environments, Pickerel-weed stands as a testament to the beauty and adaptability of aquatic plant species. Its historical and ongoing significance highlights the crucial role such plants play in the health and diversity of wetland ecosystems.
Common Names
Dan: blå vandhyacint, hjerte-vandkærte
Deu: herzblättriges hechtkraut, pontederie
Nld: moerashyacint, snoekkruid
Eng: pickerel-weed, pickerelweed
Ita: pontederia
Fra: pontédérie à feuilles cordées, pontédérie à feuilles en cœur, pontédérie cordée, langue du boeuf, pontédérie à feuilles en coeur
Afr: jongsnoekkruid
Swe: pontederia
Cym: picrelys
En: Pickerel-weed, Pickerelweed, Pontederia
Af: Jongsnoekkruid
Ca: Pontedèria
Zh: 梭鱼草
Cs: Modráska srdčitá
Da: Blå vandhyacint, Hjerte-vandkærte
Nl: Moerashyacint, Snoekkruid
Fi: Herttasoikko
Fr: Pontédérie à feuilles en cœur, Pontédérie à feuilles cordées, Pontédérie cordée, Langue du boeuf, Pontédérie à feuilles en coeur
De: Pontederie, Herzblättriges Hechtkraut, Herzförmige Pontederie
Is: Hjartagoði
It: Pontederia
Sk: Pontedéria srdcovitá
Sv: Pontederia
Th: ช่อครามน้ำ
Zh-hant: 梭魚草
Cy: Picrelys
Synonyms
- Pontederia maculata (Donn)
- Unisema rotundifolia (Raf.)
- Pontederia nymphaeifolia (Kunth)
- Unisema sagittata (Raf.)
- Pontederia mucronata (Raf. ex Torr.)
- Pontederia cordata var. angustifolia ((Pursh) Torr.)
- Pontederia cordata var. albiflora (Short)
- Unisema obtusifolia ((Raf.) Raf.)
- Pontederia cordata f. albiflora (House)
- Unisema purshiana (Raf.)
- Unisema peduncularis (Raf.)
- Unisema media (Raf.)
- Unisema latifolia (Raf.)
- Unisema obliquata (Raf.)
- Unisema mucronata (Raf.)
- Sagittaria cerulea (Raf.)
- Pontederia cordata var. lancifolia ((Muhl.) Torr.)
- Pontederia rotundifolia var. nymphaeifolia ((Kunth) Solms)
- Pontederia cordata var. lanceolata ((Nutt.) Griseb.)
- Pontederia lancifolia (Muhl.)
- Narukila cordata ((L.) Nieuwl.)
- Narukila cordata var. lancifolia ((Muhl.) Nieuwl.)
- Pontederia cordata f. brasiliensis (Solms)
- Pontederia obtusifolia ((Raf.) A.DC.)
- Pontederia cordata f. bernardii (Lepage)
- Pontederia cordata f. angustifolia ((Pursh) Solms)
- Pontederia cordata f. taenia (Fassett)
- Unisema cordata ((L.) Farw.)
- Unisema heterophylla (Raf.)
- Unisema deltifolia (Raf.)
- Unisema cordata f. angustifolia ((Pursh) Farw.)
- Unisema cordata f. latifolia ((Muhl.) Farw.)
- Unisema lancifolia (Raf.)
- Unisema lancifolia f. trullifolia (Farw.)
- Pontederia cordata f. latifolia (House)
- Umsema obtusifolia (Raf.)
- Umsema mucronata (Raf.)
- Pontederia angustifolia (Pursh)
- Unisema acutifolia (Raf.)
- Pontederia lanceolata f. brasiliensis ((Solms) Fernald)
- Pontederia lanceolata f. trullifolia (Fernald)
- Pontederia lanceolata var. vichadensis (F.J.Herm.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vermont (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Gerrit Busser (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Oct 16, 2021 by Fernando Ruiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 19, 2017 by Eugenio Diaz Ferreiro (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 15, 1996 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 14, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 15, 2021 by Ureña Marta (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 15, 2021 by Ureña Marta (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 12, 2020 by Ann Ghesquiere (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2022 by Alice FAURE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2022 by icr (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Quiñoy Yago (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2022 by Pierre Rolle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2020 by victor belloc (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2021 by Aivin Gast (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2766030)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:283610-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pontederia cordata L.)