Persicaria hydropiper

marshpepper knotweed, water smartweed, water pepper
Family

Polygonaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Attachment

petiolate

Leaf Margin

entire

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

lanceolate, ovate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

green, pink, white

Flower Petals

5

Flower Month

June - December

Height (meters)

0.1 - 1.0

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

introduced

Lifespan

perennial


Wetland Class

OBL

Field Characters

Peppery taste when eaten. Flower spikes often arched or nodding. Leaves 0.5" wide or more. Inflorescence straight. Bristles on ocre.

Habitat

Wet pastures and barnyards. Damp disturbed areas and marshes.