Common names: curltop smartweed, pale smartweed, curltop lady’s thumb

Scientific names: Polygonum lapathifolium (Persicaria lapathifolia, Polygonum tomentosa)

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

Characteristics: Introduced, naturalized, annual, warm season forb to 8.2 feet. Stems erect, much branched, swollen at nodes; leaves alternate, simple, lanceolate, punctate, stipulate; stipules form a papery sheath around the nodes called an ocrea, usually smooth, stongly ribbed, brittle; inflorescence relatively thick (mostly about 0.3-0.6 inch), usually nodding or drooping; tepals developing bifurcating veins with recurved tips; fruit is a dark lens shaped achene, usually concave on 1 or both sides. Flowers April-November.

Plant community type: Exposed wet areas such as marshes, ditches, beaver ponds, stock pond perimeters, etc.

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