The purple blooms of pickerelweed

Some stands of pickerelweed are blooming on Zarzamora Creek. It’s a lovely sight.

Pontederia cordata is in the water-hyacinth family. The books say it usually blooms from June through September, but I saw the first blooms on April 27. Zarzamora Creek will keep you on your toes.

Pickerelweed is what biologists call an emergent aquatic. It’s a forb, and much of the plant, including rhizomes, is underwater. The stems and leaves rise out of the water. The stand I’ve been watching is less than 3 feet tall. The leaves are deep green. The flower spikes are about 6 inches long, and bloom from bottom up.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center says the flowers are generally dark blue, but all the flowers I’ve seen along Zarzarmora Creek look purple to me.