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Weed Identification

swamp smartweed

Family

Polygonaceae

Scientific Name

Polygonum hydropiperoides

Other Common Names:

opelousa smartweed
northeastern smartweed

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Polygonum hydropiperoides var. digitatum
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. euronotorum
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. opelousanum
Persicaria hydropiperoides var. euronotora
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. breviciliatum
Persicaria opelousana
Persicaria paludicola
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. strigosum
Polygonum persicarioides
Polygonum opelousanum var. adenocalyx
Persicaria hydropiperoides var. opelousana
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. asperifolium
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. psilostachyum
Polygonum opelousanum
Persicaria persicarioides
Persicaria hydropiperoides
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. adenocalyx
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. bushianum
Persicaria hydropiperoides var. breviciliata

Growth Habit

upright and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

pencil

Dominant Flower Color

pink

Flower Symmetry

radial symmetery

Leaf Hairs

Varies: 
has hairs
no hairs

Leaf Shape

lance

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Margin

Varies: 
entire
lobed

Leaf Structure

simple

Leaf Stalk

Varies: 
none
shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

no hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

Varies: 
fibrous
rhizomes present

Life Cycle

perennial

Ochrea

present

Plant Type

Herb