Pickerelweed - Pontederia cordata

"Pickerelweed is a native plant often found in many freshwater ecosystems including roadside ditches, bayous, pond edges, [and wetlands]. It can form large colonies in wet soils or flooded areas [Waco].

• Plant: Produces 1 spike of small flowers [Loughmiller].
• Flower: Deep blue/Purple flower on a 6 inch long spike, and "bloom in succession from the bottom up, prolonging the flowering period for several days. The flower stem rises above the leaves except 1 leaf that grows behind the flowers [Loughmiller].
• Height: Up to 3 feet tall with lance-shaped leaves" [City].
• Usefulness: Basal portions are food source for nutria and muskrats. Pickerelweed produces small fruits that are often eaten by puddle ducks [City].
• Propagation: Place maure fruits in wet soil or transplant entire plants with plenty of rhizomes to the desired location [City].

Sources

City of Waco. Plants of the Lake Waco Wetlands.
Loughmiller. Texas wildflowers.
Photos: Courtesy of S. Peregrine Johnson.