Pontederia cordata at Stirling Park

Pickerel weed at Stirling Park

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Identification history

	Pontederia cordata	4 Apr 2021	MichaelMulvaney
	Pontederia cordata	4 Apr 2021	JaneR

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Significant sighting

MichaelMulvaney noted:

4 Apr 2021

First naturalised record of this invasive species in the Canberra region. While not reported as a fast spreader it can form large clumps. Cultifated at the Weston Horticultural College, which makes me think just what were they teaching their students

Author's notes

Dense clump growing in ponded water, relatively shallow, of Stirling Creek, shortly after coming out of suburban area. Flowers attractive light purple, visited by honey bees. Identified as Pontederia cordata after sleuthing through books and the web. this is a new species for me, needs to be confirmed by others. Height estimated to be around 1 m Unlikely that canopy will survive a frosty winter, but rhizomes in mud might well. I have walked this area before but not for a while, and suspect this is newly established this season.