|
Photographer: Michael Clayton
|
Family Pontederiaceae
Pontederia cordata L.
pickerel-weed
Pontederia: for Pontedera, professor at Padua in 18th century
cordata: heart-shaped
|
|
| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, emergent semi-aquatic 1'- 3 1/2' tall; spreading, colony-forming rhizomes |
| Flower: | blue, 6-parted, 1/2" wide, funnel-shaped, 2 lips divided into 3 lobes each, the upper center lobe marked with yellow; inflorescence a 4" spike with each flower open for only 1 day; blooms June-Aug. |
| Fruit: | ridged, dry seed |
| Leaf: | heart-shaped, shiny, with many parallel veins and long, air-filled stalks; the submerged leaves ribbony |
| Habitat: | shallows, water to 40" deep; in muddy, sediment soil |
| (Glossary) |
|
