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Polygonum pensylvanicum
Polygonum pensylvanicum L.
Pennsylvania Smartweed, Pink Smartweed
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family)
Synonym(s): Persicaria bicornis, Persicaria longistyla, Persicaria mississippiensis, Persicaria pensylvanica, Persicaria pensylvanica var. dura, Polygonum bicorne, Polygonum longistylum, Polygonum longistylum var. omissum, Polygonum mexicanum, Polygonum mississippiense, Polygonum mississippiense var. interius, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. durum, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. eglandulosum, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. genuinum, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. laevigatum, Polygonum pensylvanicum var. rosiflorum
USDA Symbol: POPE2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Dense, erect, spike-like clusters of small, bright pink flowers are on sticky-haired stalks.
About 75 species of smartweeds occur in North America. They are mainly are identified by their spikes of numerous flowers and encircling leaf sheaths. A closely related species, Pale Smartweed (P. lapathifolium), has white or pale rose, arching flower spikes and usually smooth stems. Both are found in gardens as well as in damp waste places. The seeds of these plants are eaten by songbirds and waterfowl. There are also climbing species of smartweeds.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , PinkBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV , WYCanada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Throughout East, except Prairie Provinces; also in parts of West.
Native Habitat: Moist waste places, fields.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesFind Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0847 Collected Apr 29, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry CliffeNPSOT 0898 Collected Jun 24, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1354 Collected 2014-10-05 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Polygonum pensylvanicum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Polygonum pensylvanicum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polygonum pensylvanicum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2017-08-04Research By: TWC Staff