Polygonum persicaria

Common Name: 
lady's thumb smartweed
Scientific Name: 
Polygonum persicaria L.    syn.  Persicaria maculosa
Family Name: 
Polygonaceae - Smartweed or Buckwheat Family
Identification Notes
Life Cycle
introduced annual, reproducing by seed
Stems
smooth, branching, swollen nodes, ocrea (papery or membranous sheath) at nodes, short stiff hairs on top margin of ocrea
Growth Habit of Ladysthumb Smartweed
Growth Habit of Ladysthumb Smartweed
Leaves
alternate, lanceolate to elliptic, frequently with purple blotch
Leaves of Ladysthumb Smartweed
Flowers
bright pink to purple sometimes white, petals absent; clusters form short terminal spike
Flowers of Ladysthumb Smartweed
Flowers of Ladysthumb Smartweed
Flowers of Ladysthumb Smartweed