White Pickerel Weed is a native herbaceous emergent in the Pontederiaceae family, growing in shallow water up to 10 inches deep. This plant performs a phyto-purifying action, and is often used to improve water quality. It is found in all areas of North Carolina. Its leaves look almost tropical and provide food and shelter for many animals. The tall spikes of white flowers last from summer through fall and attract many pollinators. Dragonfly use this to lay their eggs as well as for perching and roosting. The larvae use the stems to climb out of the water. The flowers are held well above the water for a showy long season display. Use this plant along bogs, ponds, or streams. It can also be grown in a large container or water gardens. It is very important to maintain water depths greater than saturation, but shallower than the leaves year-round. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. More information on Pontederia cordata .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.