Pontederia
A genus of tristylous aquatic plants endemic to the Americas.
Pontederia, commonly called pickerel weed, is a genus of aquatic plants known for having three distinct flower forms (tristyly). These plants are native only to the Americas, ranging from Canada down to Argentina, and typically grow in shallow water or muddy ground. The genus was named by Linnaeus after the Italian botanist Giulio Pontedera.
Members of this genus feature large, waxy leaves, succulent stems, and a thick mat of fibrous roots. These roots produce rhizomes, enabling the plants to spread quickly through vegetative reproduction. They are perennials, sending up a large spike of flowers each summer. One bee species, *Dufourea novaeangliae*, feeds exclusively on *Pontederia cordata*, and waterfowl consume the plant’s fruit.
Two species—*Pontederia cordata* and *Pontederia crassipes* (formerly *Eichhornia crassipes*)—have become invasive in many tropical and temperate regions worldwide. However, they also serve as efficient biological filters for polluted water in constructed wetlands.
**Species**
As of January 2024, Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:
*Pontederia africana* (Solms) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia australasica* (Ridl.) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia azurea* Sw. *Pontederia brevipetiolata* (Verdc.) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia cordata* L. *Pontederia crassipes* Mart. *Pontederia cyanea* (F.Muell.) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia diversifolia* (Vahl) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia elata* (Ridl.) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia gigantea* D.J.Sousa *Pontederia hastata* L. *Pontederia heterosperma* (Alexander) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia korsakowii* (Regel & Maack) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia meyeri* (A.G.Schulz) M.Pell. & C.N.Horn *Pontederia natans* P.Beauv. *Pontederia ovalis* Mart. ex Schult. & Schult.f. *Pontederia paniculata* Spreng. *Pontederia paradoxa* Mart. ex Schult. & Schult.f. *Pontederia parviflora* Alexander *Pontederia plantaginea* Roxb. *Pontederia reflexa* D.J.Sousa *Pontederia rotundifolia* L.f. *Pontederia sagittata* C.Presl *Pontederia subovata* (Seub.) Lowden *Pontederia triflora* (Seub.) G.Agostini, D.Velázquez & J.Velásquez *Pontederia vaginalis* Burm.f. *Pontederia valida* (G.X.Wang & Nagam.) M.Pell.
**References**
**External links** Google Books - Creating Freshwater Wetlands by Donald A.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Pontederia
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pontederia plants have large waxy leaves, succulent stems, and a thick pad of fibrous roots. The roots give rise to rhizomes that allow rapid colonization by vegetative reproduction. Species are perennial and produce a large spike of flowers in the summer. There is a species of bee (Dufourea novaeangliae) that exclusively visits Pontederia cordata; waterfowl also eat the fruit of the plant. Pontederia cordata and Pontederia crassipes (formerly known as Eichhornia crassipes) have become invasive in many tropical and temperate parts of the globe, but are, on the other hand, efficient biological filters of polluted water in constructed wetlands.
Reader's Guide
Pontederia is notable for its dual role as both an invasive species and a beneficial biological filter. Pontederia cordata and Pontederia crassipes have become invasive in many tropical and temperate parts of the globe, yet they are also efficient biological filters of polluted water in constructed wetlands. The genus is endemic to the Americas, distributed from Canada to Argentina, and was named by Linnaeus in honor of the Italian botanist Giulio Pontedera. Its species are perennial, with large waxy leaves, succulent stems, and a thick pad of fibrous roots that give rise to rhizomes for rapid vegetative reproduction. The plants produce a large spike of flowers in the summer. A specialized bee, Dufourea novaeangliae, exclusively visits Pontederia cordata, and waterfowl eat the fruit. As of January 2024, Plants of the World Online accepted 26 species, including Pontederia cordata and Pontederia crassipes. The genus is tristylous, a reproductive trait that contributes to its ecological success.
Did You Know?
- Pontederia was named by Linnaeus in honour of the Italian botanist Giulio Pontedera.
- Pontederia cordata and Pontederia crassipes are efficient biological filters of polluted water in constructed wetlands.
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