Persicaria sagittata (L.) H. Gross

Arrowleaf Tearthumb; Arrow Vine; Scratch Grass

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Arrowleaf Tearthumb is a native herbaceous annual in the Buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). It occurs in both eastern North America and eastern Asia. In Alabama it can be found nearly statewide. Arrowleaf Tearthumb occurs in swamps and marshes, on wet roadsides, along the shores of streams and ponds, and in other types of wetlands. Arrowleaf Tearthumb is a vine-like species 6-8 feet in length, clambering over other vegetation. The stems are 4-angled, glabrous, green or reddish brown in color, and armed with recurved prickles. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, glabrous to densely appressed pubescent, oblong in outline with sagittate or cordate bases and entire margins. The midrib on the lower surface of the leaf usually has retrorse prickles. The ocrea is tubular, membranous, glabrous, and with long bristles at the apex. Flowers are produced in capitate axillary or terminal inflorescences. Individual flowers have a 5-parted white or pinkish perianth, 3 styles, and 8 stamens. The fruit is a brown 3-angled achene enclosed by the persistent perianth. This species is a larval food for the Gray Hairstreak Butterfly (Strymon melinus).—A. Diamond.

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Native

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