Pickerelweed
Pontederia cordata
- Native to:
- Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Prince Edward I., United States, Uruguay
W. Bulach
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Pontederiaceae
- Genus:
- Pontederia
- Species:
- Pontederia cordata
- USDA Symbol:
- POCO14
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, violet, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Bellura gortynoides, Cattail Borer Moth (Bellura obliqua), Densa Bellura (Bellura densa), Purple-lined sallow (Pyrrhia exprimens)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble (Bombus pensylvanicus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Florilegus condignus, Tri-colored bumble (Bombus ternarius), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Xylocopa micans, Yellow-banded bumble (Bombus terricola) Moths:Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe), Virginia Tiger Moth (Spilosoma virginica) Butterflies:American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Dion Skipper (Euphyes dion), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, waterfowl, muskrats
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, moisture-retentive soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and along water bodies
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require moist stratification and should be sown in shallow water or saturated soil. Light may improve germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI