These attractive plants with bright green leaves and violet-blue flowers grow to 4 feet high. Leaves are triangular or spear shaped. The leaves also have long, thick stems arising from the base of the plant. Conspicuous flowers are crowded on a spike-like structure supported by a leafy- like spathe. Some of the stamens are long, giving the flowers a fringed
effect. Fruit is bladder- like. The bright blue spires of pickerelweed are a common sight on marshy, mucky edges of shallow ponds and slow streams. Its value as a wildlife food is low, although black ducks and wood duck eat the seeds, as do muskrat.
|
