This aquatic plant is found throughout the state, although more often in the eastern part of PA. Once it gets established, it will cover substantial areas at edges of lakes and ponds, less often rivers and streams.
The glossy green leaves are large and arrow-shaped, sticking high out of the water. The plant is most easily recognized by the bluish-purple inflorescence along the distal (upper) part of the stalk.
Muskrat and deer feed on the leaves, while ducks prefer the large seeds of this plant. Other water plants often grow among pickerelweed.

Large patches of pickerelweed are quite scenic, saturated blue flower heads mixing with green foliage