Pickerel Weed, or Ponterdia cordata grows in the eastern half of North America. Finding its home in fresh water ponds. The Pickerel Weed favors the shallow waters of the banks. This plant is also found specifically in Acadia Park along the coast of Maine. The Pickerel Weed provides many ecosystem services such as supporting, cultural, and regulating services. Pickerel Weed is essential to the ecosystems of the ponds it is established in.
The Supporting Services of the Pickerel Weed is in fact its namesake. The Pickerel fish enjoys swimming in the stems of the plant, so do many other fish, but the plant wasn’t named after them (Missouri Botanical Gardens). Above the water, on the leaves dragonflies will lay eggs. The flowers of the plant provide an island for butterflies crossing Acadia’s tributaries. The Pickerel Weed is important to the wild like of Acadia National Park.
The Pickerel Weed provides many cultural services in Acadia Park. The flowering plant lines the fresh water tributaries of the park; waxy, dark green, cordate leaves protruding from the water. Towards the end of spring visitors are graced with the sight of the light purple, cone shaped, inflorescence (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2002). These lovely flowers will continue blooming on occasion until early October. The Pickerel Weed is indeed a rich cultural service to the visitors of Arcadia National Park.
The beautiful aesthetic of the Pickerel Weed is not its only value to life in Acadia National Park. In fact, one might say its crucial ecosystem service is regulating services. The beauty of the above water plant system is astounding, but the work the roots do underneath the water is paramount in importance. The root system networks across the entire colony of Pickerel Weeds, hold the fine soil tightly in its roots. This prevents erosion in these tributaries, helping to hold the banks in place. One could conclude that the roots of the Pickerel Weed are keeping Acadia National Park from washing away.
To conclude, The Pickerel Weed is crucial to Acadia National Park. It brings beauty to the fresh water tributaries, food and safety for the wildlife, and keeps the banks from washing away. The Pickerel Weed is a vital part of Acadia National Park.
Morgan Grammer
Picture From:Robert H. Mohlenbrock USDA, NRCS 1995 Northeast Wetland Flora @USDANRCSPLANTS
Sources
Missouri Botanical Gardens, N/A, Plant Finder Ponterdia Cordat, Available:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a428
Accessed 10-10-2016
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 02-05-2002, Plant Fact Sheet Pickerel Weed, Available:
http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_poco14.pdf
Accessed 10-10-2016
Plant Life of Acadia National Park 
The Pickerel Weed doesn’t seem to be much of a weed. Isn’t a bit degrading to call such an important plant a weed. I enjoyed learning about it. It was a very informative and increases my desire to move to Maine.
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