Persicaria lapathifolia (Nodding Smartweed)
Also known as: | Pale Smartweed, Curlytop Knotweed |
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Genus: | Persicaria |
Family: | Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) |
Life cycle: | annual |
Origin: | native |
Habitat: | part shade, sun; moist; ditches, floodplains, waste areas, fields, shorelines |
Bloom season: | July - September |
Plant height: | 2 to 6 feet |
Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: OBL MW: FACW NCNE: FACW |
MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): | |
National distribution (click map to enlarge): |
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Detailed Information
Flower:
Densely packed, nodding spike-like racemes, typically 2 to 4 inches long (or longer!) and about ½ inch in diameter, mostly at the tips of stems, sometimes in upper leaf axils of branches. Flowers are greenish white to pink, 1/8 long with 4 or 5 tepals (petals and similar sepals) that barely open, and nearly stalkless. The stalk of the raceme can be smooth or covered in glandular hairs.
Leaves and stems:
Leaves are alternate, lance-like, up to 8 inches long and to 2 inches wide, widest near the base with a rounded taper to the short stalk, and a long, even taper to a sharp tip. Sometimes there is a dark blotch on the upper surface but usually not, the stalk up to 5/8 inch long. Edges are toothless but have short, cilia-like hairs. Surfaces have inconspicuous translucent pits (punctate), are smooth or with matted, woolly hairs especially underneath or along the main veins, particularly when young.
At the base of the leaf stalk is a membranous sheath (ocrea) that extends up around the stem and is typically prominently ribbed, its upper edge smooth (no bristles or fringe) or torn, becoming dark rusty brown and peeling with age. Stems are erect to spreading, densely branched, glossy smooth, green or often red and swollen just above the leaf axils.
Fruit:
Fruit is a smooth, dry seed about 1/8 inch long, brown to black, shiny or dull, usually disc shaped.
Notes:
Nodding Smartweed, formerly known as Polygonum lapathifolium, is native to both the eastern and western hemispheres and in North America a mix of both native and non-native ecotypes is likely present. In Minnesota it is arguably the largest of the smartweeds and can most easily be distinguished from other Smartweeds by its long, drooping flower clusters. A somewhat weedy species, it's common throughout the state, quickly filling in receding water lines of shallow marsh areas, disturbed road ditches, urban retention ponds and rural flood basins.
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More photos
- Nodding Smartweed plant with greenish white flowers
- a robust Nodding Smartweed plant
- more flowers
- Nodding and Pennsylvania Smartweeds
Photos by K. Chayka taken in Pope and Ramsey counties. Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk taken in Anoka, Pope and Ramsey counties.
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2014-08-10 11:56:51
My home is located across from the Sherburne Nat'l Wildlife Refuge.
on: 2015-07-26 12:58:58
Another great plant for native bees and honey bees.
on: 2019-10-11 16:37:05
As best as I & the Seek App can tell, I have this growing on my property. I wasn't sure if it was good for pollinators, but it sounds as if it is. Nice to have a preferred plant volunteer for my garden like this!