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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Brassica nigra Brassica nigra
Oxalis Flowers and Leaves
Sinapis arvensis Sinapis arvensis
Persicaria hydropiper has some common insect problems:
Japanese Beetle

Smartweed Persicaria hydropiper

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Smartweed:

Previously known as:

  • Polygonum hydropiper
Phonetic Spelling
per-sih-KAR-ee-ah hi-dro-PIE-per
Description

Water-pepper is a semi-erect summer annual with a tendency to sprawl and leans on other plants for support.  Its habitat includes soggy woodlands, floodplains, edges of river and ponds, roadside ditches and other poorly drained locations.  Disturbed wetlands are preferred.  It will grow in a variety of soil textures.  In disturbed wetlands, it can spread aggressively.  

It is hermaphrodite, has both male and female organs, and is self-fertile.  Its tiny flowers and 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. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It has few insect problems.
 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible seeds#edible leaves#edible stems#colonizing#weed#wildflower#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#edible seeds#edible leaves#edible stems#colonizing#weed#wildflower#herb garden
  • 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
    Edibility:
    Used as a spice. Leaves, seeds, and stems are edible.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Herb
    Weed
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Columnar
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Description:
    Dark brown oval flattened nut.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Smooth and hairless
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Small groups