Also known as Dog-tongue, Wampees or Blue-flag, it is a member of the Pickerelweed family. Both the flowers and leaves of this perennial are above the shallow, fresh water it inhabits.

From July through August, this plant grows spikes of funnel-like, purple flowers, up to 15 cm  long. The middle upper petal of the small blossom has two yellow spots. They grown on long sheathing stalks, to a height of 30-60 cm.

Pickerelweed’s single leaf ranges in size, from 5 to 25 cm long and 2 to 15 cm wide and has an arrow-shape. This plant reproduces through rhizomes rooted in the soft mud below, and is commonly found in dense colonies.

The common name "Pickerelweed" suggests that the fish called Pickerel are found in proximity to this plant.