Pickerelweed

Description:

Pickerelweed is an aquatic plant which grows three to four feet tall. Usually, you only see one or two feet, because the rest is underwater. Pickerelweed leaves are large and heart-shaped, growing up to 10 inches long. They have a long petiole (leaf stem). This plant is most often recognized by its beautiful flowers. Pickerelweed has large spikes with clusters of violet-blue flowers. Each flower is small, less than half an inch wide. It has two small yellow spots on one petal. The nectar of Pickerelweed flowers attracts many insects, including bees and butterflies. Pickerelweed has long light green stems which stretch down under the water to an underground stem called a rhizome. Rhizomes grow in the muddy bottom and spread with roots to send up more Pickerelweed stems to the surface.

Habitat:

Pickerelweed grows in shallow freshwater, such as marshes, pond edges, lakes, and streamsides. This plant was photographed at Brick Pond Park in North Augusta, SC.

Notes:

Pickerelweed starts blooming in June and continues until November. Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers. After a flower has been pollinated, it dies and a fruit grows. The fruits of this plant are small and contain one seed each. The seeds are a good food source for ducks and muskrats. Muskrats also eat the leaves, as do White-tailed Deer and geese. The leaves and stems of Pickerelweed provide good cover for birds, swimming mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.