Persicaria hydropiper
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Polygonum hydropiper
- Phonetic Spelling
- per-sih-KAR-ee-ah hi-dro-PIE-per
- Description
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Water-pepper is a semi-erect summer annual herb in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae) native to temperate Eurasia to Western & Central Malesia, and Northwestern Africa. It has a tendency to sprawl and leans on other plants for support.
The plant grows in damp places and shallow water in full sun to part shade such as soggy woodlands, floodplains, edges of river and ponds, roadside ditches and other poorly drained locations in a variety of soil textures. Disturbed wetlands are preferred where it can spread aggressively. It is hermaphrodite, has both male and female organs, and is self-fertile. Its tiny flowers are usually bud-like in shape, not totally open. Each flower is replaced by a 3-angle, dull-looking seed. The seeds are black or dark brown. It often reseeds itself and forms colonies.
In many cultures, water-pepper is considered edible and is put in dishes as seasoning. Its taste is very peppery, like horseradish.
This plant is considered a weed and will likely not be planted in a garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It has few insect problems but can be bothered by Japanese Beetles.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Persicaria
- Species:
- hydropiper
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Temp. Eurasia to Western & Central Malesia, North Western Africa
- Distribution:
- Widely distributed to North and South America
- Edibility:
- Used as a spice. Leaves, seeds, and stems are edible.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Weed
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Description:
- Dark brown oval flattened nut.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Slender greenish-white nodding flower clusters having 5 sepals, 2-3 styles, 4-6 stamens, and no petals.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves have a strong peppery taste, often olive-green Each leaf has a short petiole.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Smooth and hairless
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
