Persicaria amphibia (syn. Polygonum amphibium) is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by several common names, including longroot smartweed, water knotweed, water smartweed, and amphibious bistort. It is native to much of North America, Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa, and it is known elsewhere as an introduced species and sometimes a noxious weed.
Family:
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat)
Height:
1 to 3 feet
Leaves:
Lance-shaped leaves are alternately arranged on stem (up to 8 inches long), edges are smooth.
Flower:
Small pink flowers form a spike-like raceme
Bloom time:
June-September
Nicknames:
Swamp Smartweed, Longroot Smartweed, Water Knotweed
Habitat:
Aquatic or terrestrial, ditches, shorelines
Wildlife Benefits:
Flowers are attractive to bees, wasps, flies, butterflies. Seeds are a food source for ducks.
Can I plant this in my garden?
Not typically planted in gardens.
References:
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/swamp-smartweed
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/wt_smartweed.html
Family | Polygonaceae |
---|---|
Habit | Forb |
Life cycle | perennial |
Flower | pink |
Origin | native |
Bloom time | (6) June, (7) July, (8) August, (9) September |
*sites | Lake Phalen, Snail Lake |