Pontederia cordata L.

Pickerel Weed; Wampee

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Pickerel Weed is a native herbaceous perennial in the Pickerel Weed family (Pontideriaceae). It can be found in southern and eastern Alabama. Pickerel Weed grows in Cypress ponds, in lakes and ponds, in inlets and ox-bows along rivers, and in wet roadside ditches. It is a perennial with a thick rhizome. The rhizome is in the mud, usually in shallow water. The rhizome produces roots from its lower surface and leaves from its upper surface. The leaves are usually near the apex of the rhizome. Leaves are petiolate, lanceolate to cordate in outline, entire, and glabrous. The flowers are produced in spikes. Each flower has 6 lobes that are blue-purple to white in color. The upper lobe is slightly larger than the others and marked with a yellow spot. The fruit is an utricle (a one seeded bladder-like indehiscent fruit). The utricles have toothed ridges. Pickerel Weed is a popular ornamental for pools. Rhizomes should be planted in shallow elongated pots and placed in water up to 2 feet in depth. Pickerel Weed is a strong grower and will need to be contained in the pool.--A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL) G5 (Global Rank)

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