any of several North American freshwater plants of the genus Pontederia, esp P. cordata, having arrow-shaped leaves and purple flowers: family Pontederiaceae
pickerelweed in American English
(ˈpɪkərəlˌwid)
noun
1. US
any of a genus (Pontederia) of North American aquatic plants of the pickerelweed family, esp. a species (P. cordata) with arrow-shaped leaves and spikes of blue-violet flowers, found in shallow waters
adjective
2.
designating a family (Pontederiaceae, order Liliales) of monocotyledonous, freshwater plants,including the water hyacinth