Common names: Pensylvania smartweed, pink smartweed, longstyle smartweed, smartweed

Scientific names: Polygonum pensylvanicum (Persicaria bicornis, Persicaria longistyla, Persicaria pensylvanica, Polygonum bicorne, Polygonum longistylum)

Seasons of significant use: summer (for Polygonum spp. complex)

Characteristics: Native, annual, warm season forb to 6.5 feet. Stems erect, much branched, cherry red at least at nodes, with swollen nodes; leaves alternate, simple lanceolate, punctate, stipulate; stipules form papery sheaths around nodes called an ocrea, usually smooth on margins; inflorescences relatively thick (mostly about 0.3-0.6 inch); stalk of inflorescence glandular; flowers usually white-pinkish; tepals not developing bifurcating veins with recurved tips; fruit is a dark brown to black, shiny, lens shaped achene often with a ridge or hump on at least one face. Flowers May-November.

Plant community type: Frequently found in exposed moist areas with soil disturbance such as ditches, marshes, swales, etc.

Comments: Often a first year invader.

More Plant Photos and Descriptions:
Appendix C: Plants by Common Name
Appendix C: Plants by Scientific Name
Appendix C: Plants Listed by Family