Persicaria hirsuta (Walter) Small

Hairy Smartweed

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Hairy Smartweed is a native herbaceous perennial in the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). It has been found in two widely separated counties in Alabama. Hairy Smartweed occurs on the shores of lime sink depression ponds, on the marshy shores of cypress or gum ponds, and rarely along drainage ditches in pine flatwoods. It is a perennial with a tap root. Stems are decumbent to erect towards the tips, rooting at the nodes, and pubescent with long spreading hairs on the internodes and ocreae. The stems are often reddish on the upper surface and green on the lower surface. The ocreae is fringed with long hairs at its summit. Leaves are alternate, sessile and sometimes slightly cordate at the base, lanceolate in outline, entire, and pubescent on both surfaces with stiff hairs. Flowers are produced in erect terminal racemes arranged in open panicles. The stalk of the raceme is pubescent. The calyx is pinkish white and not gland dotted. The fruit is a 3 angled achene.--A. Diamond

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Native S? (State Rank) G3 (Global Rank)

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