Persicaria hydropiperoides (Michx.) Small
Family: Polygonaceae

Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)

Polygonum hydropiperoides Michx.

Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)

swamp smartweed

Primary Disseminule Type

fruit (with or without attached perianth)

Description (diagnostics are in brown)

Disseminule is a fruit with or without attached, partially connate tepals (=perianth).

Perianth 5-lobed, pink with pink, white or greenish margins, sometimes obscurely glandular-punctate, 2.5–4 mm long, veins inconspicuous, apex obtuse to rounded.

Fruit an achene, broadly ovate with mucronate apex, cross-section trigonous, 1.5–3 mm long x 1–2.3 mm wide. Surface brown or brownish-black to purplish-black, shiny, uneven (minutely pitted).

Similar Species

Similar Species Comparison Chart

Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)

AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI