Scientific Family
Polygonaceae
Synonyms
Persicaria lapathifolia, Persicaria incarnata , Persicaria tomentosa, Polygonum incanum, Polygonum incarnatum
Other common names
pale smartweed
willowweed
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Annual
Height
2 to 5 feet
Riparian
Yes
An upright, branched, willowy-looking summer annual. It is a broadleaf plant that typically inhabits areas in or around water.
Nodding or drooping inflorescence; sheaths without marginal bristles; auxilary and terminal inflorescence; bracts of inflorescence reduced to sheaths; stems not twining.
Habitat
Wet soils and floodplains. Also waste spaces, roadsides, and cultivated fields.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
1000
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
Clusters are dense, drooping and arching. The individual flowers remain closed.
Flower color
Greenish-white to pink
Flower shape
Bell-shaped
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
April
Last bloom month
October
Flower clusters
Elongated
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems are erect, branched and usually swollen and sheathed at the leaf node. Tapered tip leaves are sometimes marked with a dark blotch.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Leaves
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown
Seeds are shiny, flattened and indented on both sides.