Species Detail Forb

Leaves and flowers		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Polygonum persicaria - spotted ladysthumb Synonyms: Persicaria maculata, Persicaria maculosa Other Common Names: pale smartweed, spotted knotweed Plant Form: Forb or Subshrub Family: Polygonaceae
Leaves and flowers


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Plant Max Licher @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)	Flower spike Patrick Alexander @http://swbiodiversity.org, Usage Rights: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Introduced Life Cycle: Annual or perennial Similar Species: Polygonum lapathifolium
General Desc: Erect or spreading stems which may initiate roots at their lower nodes.
Identification notes: Lower stem internodes not inflated. Inflorescence dense, perianth (sepals and petals) pink, not glandular-pitted. Leaf node sheaths with marginal bristles. Propagates by rhizomes or stolons.
Height: 1 to 3 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Wet places, mostly along water courses.
Plant Communities: Riparian
Elevation: 3300 - 7200 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: Pink Shape: Bell-shaped in elongated clusters Tubular: Y Flowering Period: Jul - Sep
Description: Pink to rose colored flowers are borne on dense spikes. The petals are fused into a bell-shaped tube.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Narrow Leaf Margin: Smooth Leaf Attachment: Alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: Leaves Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves may have a classic pink to purple "lady's thumb" print near the middle. Leaf nodes are conspicuous and sheathed.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Brown
Fruit Type: Achene
Seed Notes: Flattened and shiny.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cales.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Dec 13, 2022 Content Questions/Comments: Email Matt Halldorson Legal Disclaimer