Water-pepper Persicaria hydropiper
Other 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 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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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
- 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
