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Scientific Name | Persicaria hydropiperoides (Polygonum hydropiperoides) | USDA PLANTS Symbol |
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Common Name | Swamp Smartweed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. |
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Family | Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Habitat: Wet soils in marshes, along streams or ponds and in prairies; sea level to 7,000 ft. Plant: Nearly erect or decumbent annual or perennial, sometimes rooting at nodes, sometimes branched above, 4 to 40 inches tall; smooth stems have swollen interodes with brownish ocrea 3/8 to 3/4-inch long with bristles up to 3/8-inch long. Leaves: Alternate, lanceolate 1-1/4 to 6-3/4 inches long and 1/3 to 3/4-inch wide with pointed tips. Inflorescence: Terminal or arising from axils, sometimes interrupted, racemes 1-5/8 to 3-1/8 inches long of many small flowers; each flower about 1/4-inch across with 5 white tepals, 8 stamens and 3 styles; smooth white or pinkish calyx 1/8-inch long. Bloom Period: June to November. References: SEINet, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason and "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Texas Status: Native |
Scientific Name | Persicaria punctata (Polygonum punctatum) | USDA PLANTS Symbol |
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Common Name | Dotted Smartweed, Water Smartweed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. |
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Family | Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) | SEINet Reference |
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Description |
Habitat: Full or partially sunny areas, moist to wet conditions. Plant: Erect to somewhat sprawling annual or short-lived perennial; 1 to 2-1/2 feet tall; stems branching occasionally, hairless and somewhat broader at leaf axils. Leaves: Narrow lanceolate-ovate, up to 6 inches long and 3/4-inch wide; short petioles, sometimes sessile; ocrea (sheath at leaf base wrapping around stem) membraneous and hairless, except for a few long bristles at upper edge. Inflorescence: Terminal racemes of many small flowers, each about 1/8-inch across, white greenish-white sepals (or tepals), outside dotted with small light or dark glands; 6 to 8 stamens and 2 to 3 syles. Bloom Period: June to November. References: Illinois Wildflowers and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Texas Status: Native |