| Polygonum hydropiperoides | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Polygonaceae |
| Genus: | Polygonum |
| Species: | P. hydropiperoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Polygonum hydropiperoides Michx. |
|
Polygonum hydropiperoides is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by the common name swamp smartweed. It is native to much of North America where it grows in moist and wet habitats, and is sometimes semi-aquatic.
This plant species is quite variable and is sometimes divided into several varieties, some of which may be better treated as species in their own right.[1]
In general, this plant is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing upright or erect and approaching a maximum height of one meter. Roots may emerge from nodes on the lower stem. The bristly lance-shaped leaves are around 10 centimeters long. The leaves have sheathing stipules known as ochrea. The spikelike inflorescence produces many pinkish flowers each about 3 millimeters wide.