Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Persicaria pensylvanica
Common smartweed, Pinkweed
Taxonomy

Synonyms: Polygonum pensylvanicum durum, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Polygonum pensylvanicum laevigatum, Persicaria pensylvanica var. laevigata, Persicaria pensylvanica var. pensylvanica

Subspecific taxa:

Classification:

Other taxonomic & nomenclature sources: USDA Plants;  ITIS;  The Plant List;  IPNI

Images

   
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Species Distribution
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More about map & occurrence records

County Map Legend
Absent:
Not known from county
Medium confidence:
Medium or unknown confidence;
often old records or unverifiable observations
Medium-high confidence:
Often observations by expert botanists
High confidence:
Often vouchered herbarium records
Planted / introduced:
Native species introduced outside historic range,
or only in planted locations within county (e.g., restorations)
Historic / extirpated:
Only historic records for the species; likely extirpated
(Note that this category is not yet functional)

North American distribution maps for this species: FLNA;  USDA Plants;  BONAP;  BISON

Collections, Observations & Flowering by Month [?]

J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Collections & Observations by Decade [?]

Species Status

Status/Listing: No Information

Notes:

Origin: Native

Species Description

General: Dicot-herb, annual

Roots: primary

Shoots: alternate leaf arrangment; simple leaf type; entire leaf margin; Pinnate leaf venation

Inflorescence: raceme

Flowers: perfect; incomplete, regular; hypogynous ovary position

Fruit: achene

Physiology: autotrophic; C3 C02 fixation

Reproduction: sexual

Ecology & Natural History

Habitat: Species is distributed in muddy spots, shallow water areas; fresh, moderately brackish, or alkaline water; clearings, ditches. Species is distributed on wet ground bordering swamps, sloughs, oxbow lakes of flood plains, gravel bars, wastes, and along roads and railroads. Species is distributed on wet ground.

ILPIN Notes: Plant in spring or fall; 20 lbs./acre broadcast. Species is possible cause of hayfever and dermatitis (Stephens); possible use of leaves as peppery seasoning and starchy fruits. Stephens, H.A. 1980. Poisonous Plants of the Central United States. Regent Press of Kansas. Lawrence, kA. 165 pp. Seed company numbers: 1, 11. Marshbirds and shorebirds eat seeds as food; terrestrial furbearers eat plants and seeds for food. Regarding aquatic species food value, this pertains to aquatic furbearers. Leaves are strigose, peduncles with spreading hairs. This is the commonest form of this species. This variety has peduncles conspicuously stipitate-glandular; leaves are glabrous beneath. Peduncles are strigose, with short, stiff hairs; leaves are strigose pubescent beneath.

Functional Relationships:

  • Pollinators:
  • Dispersal:
  • Mycorrhizae: no
  • N2 fixation:

Human Relationships:

  • Edibility [?] :
  • Showy Flowers:

Wildlife and Livestock Information:

  • Food Value: upland game birds: good; waterfowl: good; small non-game bird: good; small mammals: good; aquatic species: good
  • Cover Value:

Coefficient of Conservatism (C-value) [?] :

  • Entire State: 1
  • Chicago Area: 0

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