Table of Contents
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Overview
Comprehensive Description
Comments
This is one of the native species of smartweed and somewhat unusual because it is reliably perennial. Mild Waterpepper is a member of a complex of species that are very similar to each other. Other members of this complex include Persicaria opelousana and Persicaria setacea, which are largely restricted to southern Illinois. Some authorities regard these latter two species as variants of Mild Waterpepper rather than distinct species, and there may be some merit to this view. The species Persicaria opelousana has flowers with greenish white tepals and its ochreoleae (small sheaths underneath the flowers) have abundant long bristles (greater than 1 mm. in length). The species Persicaria setacea has leaves that are conspicuously pubescent on both their upper and lower surfaces and its ochreae (sheaths at the base of the petioles) have long hairs and bristles. In contrast, Mild Waterpepper has hairless leaves (or nearly so), only short appressed hairs along its ochreae, and short bristles along the upper rim of its ochreoleae (less than 1 mm. in length). It is also possible to confuse Mild Waterpepper with Persicaria punctata (Dotted Smartweed) and Persicaria hydropiper (Waterpepper). Dotted Smartweed has glandular dots on its tepals (which may be difficult to see) and its mature leaves are more widely spaced along the stems (about 1–3½" apart). Waterpepper has ochreoleae that lack bristles and it has more widely spaced flowers on nodding racemes. The leaves of both Dotted Smartweed and Waterpepper have a more peppery flavor than those of Mild Waterpepper. Another scientific name that refers to Mild Waterpepper is Polygonum hydropiperoides.
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Illinois Wildflowers
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Description
This native perennial plant is about 2-3' long and more or less erect; it branches occasionally. The light green stems are hairless. The lower stems of individual plants are often decumbent along the ground; rootlets often develop at the nodes of these decumbent stems where the sheaths occur. The alternate leaves are up to 7" long and ¾" across, becoming smaller along the upper stems; mature leaves are spaced about ½–2" apart along each stem. They are green to dark green, oblong-lanceolate, smooth along the margins, and hairless or mostly hairless. Sometimes the leaf margins have fine hairs. The petioles of the leaves are short and slender. At the base of each petiole, there is a membranous sheath (ocrea) that wraps around the stem. This sheath often has lines of short appressed hairs, and there are short bristles along its upper rim. Each upper stem often terminates into 1-3 narrow racemes of flowers. Each raceme is up to 6" long and more or less erect; the flowers and their buds are distributed somewhat sparsely along its length. Each flower is up to 1/8" across, consisting of 5 tepals, 8 stamens, and a tripartite style. The tepals are white or pink and lack glandular dots. Usually, only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time on a raceme. At the base of each flower, there is a small sheath (ocreolea); this sheath has a few short bristles (less than 1 mm. in length) along its upper rim. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall and lasts about 1–1½ months. Each flower is replaced by a shiny black seed that is ovoid and 3-angled. The root system is fibrous and rhizomatous. Colonies of plants are often formed.
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Illinois Wildflowers
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Distribution
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Marticorena, C. & M. Quezada. 1985. Catálogo de la Flora Vascular de Chile. Gayana, Bot. 42: 1–157.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1592
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Cavaco, A. 1953. Polygonacees. Fl. Madagasc. 65: 1–19.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1250
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Polygonum foliosum var. paludicola (Makino) Kitam.:
Japan (Asia)
Russian Federation (Asia)
China (Asia)
Japan (Asia)
Russian Federation (Asia)
China (Asia)
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Flora of China Editorial Committee. 2003. Fl. China 5: 1–506. Science Press & Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St. Louis.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1024907
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Small, J. K. 1933. Man. S.E. Fl. i–xxii, 1–1554. Published by the Author, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1515
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Polygonum persicarioides Kunth:
Belize (Mesoamerica)
Bolivia (South America)
Guatemala (Mesoamerica)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)
Belize (Mesoamerica)
Bolivia (South America)
Guatemala (Mesoamerica)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
United States (North America)
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SPECIMEN BASED RECORD. Published protolog data.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/9990002
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Cowan, C. P. 1983. Flora de Tabasco. Listados Floríst. México 1: 1–123.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/511
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Foster, R. C. 1958. A catalogue of the ferns and flowering plants of Bolivia. Contr. Gray Herb. 184: 1–223.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1313
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Standley, P. C. & J. A. Steyermark. 1946. Polygonaceae. In Standley, P.C. & Steyermark, J.A. (Eds), Flora of Guatemala - Part IV. Fieldiana, Bot. 24(4): 104–137.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/6429
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Breedlove, D. E. 1986. Flora de Chiapas. Listados Floríst. México 4: i–v, 1–246.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/513
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Pérez, A., M. Sousa Sánchez, A. M. Hanan-Alipi, F. Chiang Cabrera & P. Tenorio L. 2005. Vegetación terrestre. 65–110. In Biodivers. Tabasco. CONABIO-UNAM, México.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1030034
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Novelo, A. & L. Ramos. 2005. Vegetación acuática. Cap. 5: 111–144. In Biodivers. Tabasco. CONABIO-UNAM, México.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1030036
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Balick, M. J., M. Nee & D. E. Atha. 2000. Checklist of the vascular plants of Belize. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 85: i–ix, 1–246.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1014725
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Persicaria hydropiperoides var. opelousana (Riddell ex Small) J.S. Wilson:
United States (North America)
United States (North America)
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Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston. 1970. Man. Vasc. Pl. Texas i–xv, 1–1881. The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1493
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Gleason, H. A. 1968. The Choripetalous Dicotyledoneae. vol. 2. 655 pp. In H. A. Gleason Ill. Fl. N. U.S. (ed. 3). New York Botanical Garden, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1704
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Polygonum hydropiperoides var. opelousanum (Riddell ex Small) W. Stone:
United States (North America)
United States (North America)
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Gleason, H. A. 1968. The Choripetalous Dicotyledoneae. vol. 2. 655 pp. In H. A. Gleason Ill. Fl. N. U.S. (ed. 3). New York Botanical Garden, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1704
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Radford, A. E., H. E. Ahles & C. R. Bell. 1968. Man. Vasc. Fl. Carolinas i–lxi, 1–1183. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/636
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Fernald, M. 1950. Manual (ed. 8) i–lxiv, 1–1632. American Book Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1327
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Fernald, M. 1950. Manual (ed. 8) i–lxiv, 1–1632. American Book Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1327
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Missouri Botanical Garden
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Gleason, H. A. 1968. The Choripetalous Dicotyledoneae. vol. 2. 655 pp. In H. A. Gleason Ill. Fl. N. U.S. (ed. 3). New York Botanical Garden, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1704
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Fernald, M. 1950. Manual (ed. 8) i–lxiv, 1–1632. American Book Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1327
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Fernald, M. 1950. Manual (ed. 8) i–lxiv, 1–1632. American Book Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1327
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Polygonum hydropiperoides var. hydropiperoides :
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)
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Gleason, H. A. 1968. The Choripetalous Dicotyledoneae. vol. 2. 655 pp. In H. A. Gleason Ill. Fl. N. U.S. (ed. 3). New York Botanical Garden, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1704
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Radford, A. E., H. E. Ahles & C. R. Bell. 1968. Man. Vasc. Fl. Carolinas i–lxi, 1–1183. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/636
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Fernald, M. 1950. Manual (ed. 8) i–lxiv, 1–1632. American Book Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1327
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Missouri Botanical Garden
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SPECIMEN BASED RECORD. Published protolog data.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/9990002
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Fernald, M. 1950. Manual (ed. 8) i–lxiv, 1–1632. American Book Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1327
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Missouri Botanical Garden
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Fernald, M. 1950. Manual (ed. 8) i–lxiv, 1–1632. American Book Co., New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1327
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Missouri Botanical Garden
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Munz, P. A. & D. D. Keck. 1959. Cal. Fl. 1–1681. University of California Press, Berkeley.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1717
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Munz, P. A. 1974. Fl. S. Calif. 1–1086. University of California Press, Berkeley.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1719
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Polygonum hydropiperoides fo. strigosum (Small) Stanford:
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)
Canada (North America)
United States (North America)
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Gleason, H. A. 1968. The Choripetalous Dicotyledoneae. vol. 2. 655 pp. In H. A. Gleason Ill. Fl. N. U.S. (ed. 3). New York Botanical Garden, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1704
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Small, J. K. 1933. Man. S.E. Fl. i–xxii, 1–1554. Published by the Author, New York.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1515
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Polygonum hydropiperoides Michx.:
Argentina (South America)
Brazil (South America)
Canada (North America)
Chile (South America)
Costa Rica (Mesoamerica)
Ecuador (South America)
El Salvador (Mesoamerica)
French Guiana (South America)
Guatemala (Mesoamerica)
Guyana (South America)
Honduras (Mesoamerica)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
Nicaragua (Mesoamerica)
Panama (Mesoamerica)
Peru (South America)
Suriname (South America)
United States (North America)
Bolivia (South America)
Venezuela (South America)
Argentina (South America)
Brazil (South America)
Canada (North America)
Chile (South America)
Costa Rica (Mesoamerica)
Ecuador (South America)
El Salvador (Mesoamerica)
French Guiana (South America)
Guatemala (Mesoamerica)
Guyana (South America)
Honduras (Mesoamerica)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
Nicaragua (Mesoamerica)
Panama (Mesoamerica)
Peru (South America)
Suriname (South America)
United States (North America)
Bolivia (South America)
Venezuela (South America)
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Forzza, R. C. & et al. 2010. 2010 Lista de espécies Flora do Brasil. http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010/.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/100002289
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Jørgensen, P. M. & C. Ulloa Ulloa. 1994. Seed plants of the high Andes of Ecuador---A checklist. AAU Rep. 34: 1–443.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/47124
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Cowan, C. P. 1983. Flora de Tabasco. Listados Floríst. México 1: 1–123.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/511
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Anonymous. 1986. List-Based Rec., Soil Conserv. Serv., U.S.D.A. Database of the U.S.D.A., Beltsville.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1103
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Voss, E. G. 1985. Michigan Flora. Part II Dicots (Saururaceae-Cornaceae). Bull. Cranbrook Inst. Sci. 59. xix + 724.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1700
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Porter, D. M. 1983. Vascular plants of the Galapagos: Origins and dispersal. 33–54. In M. B. R. I. Bowman & A. E. Leviton Patt. Evol. Galapagos Org. Pacific Division, AAAS, San Francisco.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/43214
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Killeen, T. J. & T. S. Schulenberg. 1998. A biological assessment of Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia. RAP Working Papers 10: 1–372.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1012086
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Funk, V. A., P. E. Berry, S. Alexander, T. H. Hollowell & C. L. Kelloff. 2007. Checklist of the Plants of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana). Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 55: 1–584.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1033072
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Marticorena, C. & M. Quezada. 1985. Catálogo de la Flora Vascular de Chile. Gayana, Bot. 42: 1–157.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1592
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Nee, M. 2004. Magnoliidae, Hamamelidae y Caryophyllidae. 2: 1–209. In M. Nee Fl. Reg. Parque Nac. Amboró Bolivia. Editorial FAN, Santa Cruz.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1029643
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Duke, J. A. 1960 [1961]. Flora of Panama, Part IV. Fascicle 3. Polygonaceae. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 47(4): 323–359.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/3125
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Standley, P. C. & J. A. Steyermark. 1946. Polygonaceae. In Standley, P.C. & Steyermark, J.A. (Eds), Flora of Guatemala - Part IV. Fieldiana, Bot. 24(4): 104–137.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/6429
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Howard, R. A. 2001. Polygonaceae. En: Stevens, W.D., C. Ulloa, A. Pool & O.M. Montiel (eds.), Flora de Nicaragua. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85(3): 2167–2176.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1029507
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Standley, P. C. 1937. Polygonaceae. In: J. F. Macbride (ed.), Flora of Peru. Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 13(2/2): 444–468.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1251
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D'Arcy, W. G. 1987. Flora of Panama. Checklist and Index. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 17(1): i–xxx,.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1289
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Long, R. W. & O. K. Lakela. 1971. Fl. Trop. Florida i–xvii, 1–962. University of Miami Press, Coral Cables.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1506
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Correa A., M. D., C. Galdames & M. N. S. Stapf. 2004. Cat. Pl. Vasc. Panamá 1–599. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1031911
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Hokche, O., P. E. Berry & O. Huber. 2008. Nuev. Cat. Fl. Vas. Venezuela 1–860. Fundación Instituto Botánico de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1033110
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Jørgensen, P. M. & S. León-Yánez. (eds.) 1999. Catalogue of the vascular plants of Ecuador. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 75: i–viii, 1–1181.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/42250
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Breedlove, D. E. 1986. Flora de Chiapas. Listados Floríst. México 4: i–v, 1–246.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/513
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Great Plains Flora Association. 1986. Fl. Great Plains i–vii, 1–1392. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/637
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Wiggins, I. L. & D. M. Porter. 1971. Fl. Galápagos Isl. i–xx, 1–998. Stanford University Press, Stanford.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/73
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Dodson, C. H. & A. H. Gentry. 1978. Flora of the Río Palenque Science Center: Los Ríos Province, Ecuador. Selbyana 4(1–6): i–xxx, 1–628.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/105
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Godfrey, R. K. & J. W. Wooten. 1981. Aquatic Wetland Pl. S.E. U.S. Dicot. 933 pp. Univ. Georgia Press, Athens.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1711
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Brandbyge, J. S. 1989. 34. Polygonaceae. Fl. Ecuador 38: 1–61.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/30912
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Palacios, R. 1987. Polygonaceae (Polygonum). 3: 69–89. In A. Burkart Fl. Il. Entre Ríos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/43407
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Burger, W. C. 1983. Family 62. Polygonaceae. In: W. C. Burger (ed.), Flora Costaricensis. Fieldiana, Bot., n.s. 13: 99–138.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/2726
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Pérez, A., M. Sousa Sánchez, A. M. Hanan-Alipi, F. Chiang Cabrera & P. Tenorio L. 2005. Vegetación terrestre. 65–110. In Biodivers. Tabasco. CONABIO-UNAM, México.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1030034
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Novelo, A. & L. Ramos. 2005. Vegetación acuática. Cap. 5: 111–144. In Biodivers. Tabasco. CONABIO-UNAM, México.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/1030036
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Brako, L. & J. L. Zarucchi. (eds.) 1993. Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Gymnosperms of Peru. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 45: i–xl, 1–1286.
http://www.tropicos.org/Reference/7728
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National Distribution
Canada
Origin: Unknown/Undetermined
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
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NatureServe
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Distribution
Africa, Europe, W. Asia, Himalaya, Tibet, east to China and Japan, N. America.
- Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal @ eFloras.org
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Distribution
Distribution: Himalayas, Europe, N. W. Africa, temperate Asia and North America.
- Flora of Pakistan @ eFloras.org
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Range and Habitat in Illinois
Mild Waterpepper occurs in most counties of Illinois, where it is occasional to locally common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include swamps, sunny to partially shaded seeps, edges of ponds, and ditches. This perennial smartweed is more often found in higher quality wetlands than many other Persicaria spp. (Smartweeds), especially those that are weedy annuals. However, Mild Waterpepper can adapt to disturbed wetlands as well. It displays greater tolerance of shade than some of the other smartweeds.
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Physical Description
Morphology
Comments
The extreme variability in Persicaria hydropiperoides is reflected in its extensive synonymy. Among the segregates most often recognized in floras and checklists is P. opelousana, which C. B. McDonald (1980) showed to be broadly sympatric and highly interfertile with P. hydropiperoides. Consistent with this conclusion, R. S. Mitchell (1971) found that P. hydropiperoides and P. opelousana are unique among native North American smartweeds in consistently possessing multicellular plate-glands on the abaxial surface of their leaves. Such glands also are found on P. maculosa, an introduced European species.
Herbarium specimens of Persicaria hydropiperoides sometimes are misidentified as P. maculosa, especially when the roots are missing. The former species may be distinguished reliably by its achenes all trigonous (trigonous and biconvex achenes are mixed in the inflorescences of P. maculosa) and bristles on the margins of the ocreae that average longer. M. L. Fernald (1922c) reported hybrids with P. robustior from Nova Scotia.
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Elevation Range
500 m
- Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal @ eFloras.org
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Description
Erect to suberect, 35-60 cm tall, branched, annual herb. Stem branched from base or above, glabrous. Leaves 2-8.0 x 0.3-2.0 cm, shortly petioled, linear lanceolate, acute, margin, veins and midrib ciliate, sparsely reddish glandular below. Ochreae 1.0-1.5 cm long, tubular, ciliate, ± appressed hirsute, cilia at the mouth of the tube almost equalling the ochreae. Inflorescence, 1-5 cm long, slender, terminal to axillary, often drooping raceme. Flowers 1.5-2.5 mm across, pedicel 0.5-1 mm long. Ochreolae 1.0-2.0 mm long, tubular, reddish-purplish, ciliate-aristate, ciliae or aristae 1-2 mm long. Tepals 5, 1.25-2.5 x 0.5-1.5 cm, oblanceolate, obtuse, biseriate, unequal, pink. Stamens 8, filaments long, inserted below middle, equal. Ovary small, lanceolate, trigonous, with three styles, free in the upper half, stigmas capitate. Nuts biconvex to appressed, 1.5-3.0 x 0.5-1.5 mm, dark brown to almost black, glabrous, lustrous.
- Flora of Pakistan @ eFloras.org
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Description
Plants perennial, 1.5-10 dm; roots also often arising from proximal nodes; rhizomes often present. Stems decumbent to ascending, usually branched, without noticeable ribs, glabrous or obscurely strigose distally. Leaves: ocrea brown, cylindric, 5-23 mm, chartaceous, base inflated, margins truncate, ciliate with bristles (2-)4-10 mm, surface glabrous or strigose, not glandular-punctate; petiole 0.2-2 cm, glabrous or strigose; blade without dark triangular or lunate blotch adaxially, broadly lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 5-25 × 0.4-3.7 cm, base tapered or acute, margins antrorsely appressed-pubescent, apex acuminate, faces glabrous or appressed-pubescent along midveins and sometimes on faces, usually punctate abaxially. Inflorescences terminal, sometimes also axillary, erect, uninterrupted or interrupted proximally, 30-80 × 2-5 mm; peduncle 10-30 mm, glabrous or strigose; ocreolae overlapping distally, often not overlapping proximally, margins ciliate with bristles to 2(-3) mm. Pedicels ascending, 1-1.5 mm. Flowers bisexual or unisexual and staminate, 2-6 per ocreate fascicle, homostylous; perianth roseate proximally, roseate, white, or greenish white distally, not glandular-punctate or sometimes glandular-punctate with punctae on tubes and inner tepals, scarcely accrescent; tepals 5, connate ca. 1/ 1/ 2 their length, obovate, 2.5-4 mm in bisexual flowers, 1.5-2.5 mm in staminate flowers, veins prominent or not, not anchor-shaped, margins entire, apex obtuse to rounded; stamens 8, included or exserted in staminate flowers; anthers pink or red, elliptic to ovate; styles 3, connate near middle. Achenes included or apex exserted, brown to brownish black or black, 3-gonous, 1.5-3 × 1-2.3 mm, shiny, smooth.
- Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
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Diagnostic Description
Synonym
Polygonum mite Schrank, Baier. Fl. 668. 1789; D.A.Webb & Chater in Tutin et al., Fl. Europ. 1: 79. 1964; Schiman-Czeika & Rech.f. in Rech.f., Fl. Iran. 56: 61. 1968; R. R. Stewart, Ann. Cat. Vasc. Pl. W. Pak. & Kashm. 211. 1972; P. hydropiper L. var. eglandulosa Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 39. 1886; Persicaria hydropiper subsp. mite (Schrank) A. Majeed & Kak in J. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. 517. 1984; Persicaria hydropiper subsp. mite (Schrank) Munshi et Javeid, l.c. 75. 1986. comb. illegit.
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Synonym
Polygonum hydropiperoides Michaux, Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 239. 1803; Persicaria opelousana (Riddell ex Small) Small; P. paludicola Small; Polygonum hydropiperoides var. adenocalyx (Stanford) Gleason; P. hydropiperoides var. asperifolium Stanford; P. hydropiperoides var. breviciliatum Fernald; P. hydropiperoides var. bushianum Stanford; P. hydropiperoides var. digitatum Fernald; P. hydropiperoides var. opelousanum (Riddell ex Small) W. Stone; P. hydropiperoides var. psilostachyum H. St. John; P. opelousanum Riddell ex Small; P. opelousanum var. adenocalyx Stanford
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Type Information
Isotype for Polygonum hydropiperoides var. breviciliatum Fernald
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): M. L. Fernald & B. H. Long
Year Collected: 1938
Locality: Burgess Station., Dinwiddie, Virginia, United States, North America
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): M. L. Fernald & B. H. Long
Year Collected: 1938
Locality: Burgess Station., Dinwiddie, Virginia, United States, North America
- Isotype: Fernald, M. L. 1940. Rhodora. 42: 448.
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Syntype for Polygonum hydropiperoides var. strigosum Small
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Original publication and alleged type specimen examined
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): J. Donnell Smith
Year Collected: 1878
Locality: Cheat River, Preston Co., W. Va., Preston, West Virginia, United States, North America
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: Original publication and alleged type specimen examined
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): J. Donnell Smith
Year Collected: 1878
Locality: Cheat River, Preston Co., W. Va., Preston, West Virginia, United States, North America
- Syntype: Small, J. K. 1892. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club. 19: 355.
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
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Isotype for Polygonum hydropiperoides var. bushianum Stanford
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): B. F. Bush
Year Collected: 1894
Locality: Sapulpa., Oklahoma, United States, North America
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): B. F. Bush
Year Collected: 1894
Locality: Sapulpa., Oklahoma, United States, North America
- Isotype: Stanford, E. E. 1926. Rhodora. 28: 27.
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
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Isolectotype for Polygonum hydropiperoides var. digitatum Fernald
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: ; Original publication and alleged type specimen examined
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): M. L. Fernald & D. Linder
Year Collected: 1920
Locality: Yarmouth County, boggy savannah bordering St. John Lake, Springhaven., Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, North America
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Verification Degree: ; Original publication and alleged type specimen examined
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): M. L. Fernald & D. Linder
Year Collected: 1920
Locality: Yarmouth County, boggy savannah bordering St. John Lake, Springhaven., Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, North America
- Isolectotype: Fernald, M. L. 1922. Rhodora. 23: 260.; Reveal, J. L. & Atha, D. E. 2010. Brittonia. 62: 256.
© Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
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Isotype for Polygonum hydropiperoides var. psilostachyum H. St. John
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): H. St. John
Year Collected: 1913
Locality: Sable Island., Nova Scotia, Canada, North America
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany
Preparation: Pressed specimen
Collector(s): H. St. John
Year Collected: 1913
Locality: Sable Island., Nova Scotia, Canada, North America
- Isotype: St. John, H. 1921. Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 36: 71.
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat
A fairly common species, grows between 2500-10000 ft in moist areas, along water channels. Very close to Persicaria hydropiper but differs by having eglandular perianth and often drooping spikes which are often terminal and cilia as long as the ochreal tube. Differs from P. tenella by having distinctly biconvex to appressed nuts and reddish glands on the leaves. Our plants differ from European and N.W.African specimens by having smaller flowers and smaller nuts and may represent a separate geographical race.
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Habitat & Distribution
Flowering Jun-Nov. Wet banks and clearings, shallow water, marshes, moist prairies, ditches; 0-1500 m; B.C., N.B., N.S., Ont., Que.; Ala., Alaska, Ariz., Ark., Calif., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Nebr., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis.; Mexico; Central America; South America.
- Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
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Range and Habitat in Illinois
Mild Waterpepper occurs in most counties of Illinois, where it is occasional to locally common (see Distribution Map). Habitats include swamps, sunny to partially shaded seeps, edges of ponds, and ditches. This perennial smartweed is more often found in higher quality wetlands than many other Persicaria spp. (Smartweeds), especially those that are weedy annuals. However, Mild Waterpepper can adapt to disturbed wetlands as well. It displays greater tolerance of shade than some of the other smartweeds.
© John Hilty
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Illinois Wildflowers
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Associations
Flower-Visiting Insects of Mild Water Pepper in Illinois
Persicaria hydropiperoides (Mild Water Pepper)
(Insects suck nectar; one observation is from Krombein et al. as indicated below, otherwise observations are from Robertson)
Bees (long-tongued)
Apidae (Apinae): Apis mellifera; Anthophoridae (Ceratinini): Ceratina dupla dupla; Megachilidae (Megachilini): Megachile brevis brevis, Megachile mendica
Bees (short-tongued)
Halictidae (Halictinae): Agapostemon sericea, Halictus confusus, Halictus rubicunda, Lasioglossum coriaceus fq; Colletidae (Colletinae): Colletes americana fq, Colletes eulophi, Colletes latitarsis, Colletes simulans armata fq; Colletidae (Hylaeinae): Hylaeus mesillae; Andrenidae (Andreninae): Andrena simplex (Kr), Andrena solidaginis
Wasps
Sphecidae (Astatinae): Astatus unicolor; Sphecidae (Craboninae): Anacrabro ocellatus, Crabro tumidus, Ectemnius rufipes, Ectemnius trifasciatus, Oxybelus emarginatus, Oxybelus uniglumis; Sphecidae (Larrinae): Ancistromma distincta fq, Tachytes aurulenta; Sphecidae (Sphecinae): Isodontia apicalis, Prionyx atrata, Prionyx thomae, Sceliphron caementaria, Sphex ichneumonea; Tiphiidae: Myzinum quinquecincta, Tiphia letalis; Philanthidae: Cerceris fumipennis, Cerceris kennicottii, Eucerceris zonata, Philanthus gibbosus, Philanthus ventilabris; Nyssonidae: Pseudoplisus phaleratus; Pompilidae: Anoplius lepidus, Ceropales maculata, Entypus fulvicornis, Episyron biguttatus, Poecilopompilus algidus, Poecilopompilus interrupta; Mutillidae: Dasymutilla macra; Chrysididae: Chrysis inaequidens, Chrysis nitidula, Hedychrum violaceum, Hedychrum wiltii, Holopyga ventrale; Vespidae: Polistes dorsalis, Polistes fuscata; Vespidae (Eumeninae): Ancistrocerus antilope, Euodynerus annulatus
Flies
Syrphidae: Eristalis anthophorina, Eristalis flavipes, Pargagus tibialis, Syritta pipiens, Tropidia quadrata fq; Bombyliidae: Systoechus vulgaris; Conopidae: Physoconops brachyrhynchus; Tachinidae: Archytas analis, Chaetogaedia analis; Sarcophagidae: Blaesoxiphia hunteri, Helicobia rapax, Ravinia derelicta; Calliphoridae: Cochliomyia macellaria, Phormia regina; Muscidae: Bithoracochaeta leucoprocta, Neomyia cornicina
Beetles
Cantharidae: Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus; Chrysomelidae: Disonycha sp.; Coccinellidae: Coccinella novemnotata; Curculionidae: Listronotus caudatus
(Insects suck nectar; one observation is from Krombein et al. as indicated below, otherwise observations are from Robertson)
Bees (long-tongued)
Apidae (Apinae): Apis mellifera; Anthophoridae (Ceratinini): Ceratina dupla dupla; Megachilidae (Megachilini): Megachile brevis brevis, Megachile mendica
Bees (short-tongued)
Halictidae (Halictinae): Agapostemon sericea, Halictus confusus, Halictus rubicunda, Lasioglossum coriaceus fq; Colletidae (Colletinae): Colletes americana fq, Colletes eulophi, Colletes latitarsis, Colletes simulans armata fq; Colletidae (Hylaeinae): Hylaeus mesillae; Andrenidae (Andreninae): Andrena simplex (Kr), Andrena solidaginis
Wasps
Sphecidae (Astatinae): Astatus unicolor; Sphecidae (Craboninae): Anacrabro ocellatus, Crabro tumidus, Ectemnius rufipes, Ectemnius trifasciatus, Oxybelus emarginatus, Oxybelus uniglumis; Sphecidae (Larrinae): Ancistromma distincta fq, Tachytes aurulenta; Sphecidae (Sphecinae): Isodontia apicalis, Prionyx atrata, Prionyx thomae, Sceliphron caementaria, Sphex ichneumonea; Tiphiidae: Myzinum quinquecincta, Tiphia letalis; Philanthidae: Cerceris fumipennis, Cerceris kennicottii, Eucerceris zonata, Philanthus gibbosus, Philanthus ventilabris; Nyssonidae: Pseudoplisus phaleratus; Pompilidae: Anoplius lepidus, Ceropales maculata, Entypus fulvicornis, Episyron biguttatus, Poecilopompilus algidus, Poecilopompilus interrupta; Mutillidae: Dasymutilla macra; Chrysididae: Chrysis inaequidens, Chrysis nitidula, Hedychrum violaceum, Hedychrum wiltii, Holopyga ventrale; Vespidae: Polistes dorsalis, Polistes fuscata; Vespidae (Eumeninae): Ancistrocerus antilope, Euodynerus annulatus
Flies
Syrphidae: Eristalis anthophorina, Eristalis flavipes, Pargagus tibialis, Syritta pipiens, Tropidia quadrata fq; Bombyliidae: Systoechus vulgaris; Conopidae: Physoconops brachyrhynchus; Tachinidae: Archytas analis, Chaetogaedia analis; Sarcophagidae: Blaesoxiphia hunteri, Helicobia rapax, Ravinia derelicta; Calliphoridae: Cochliomyia macellaria, Phormia regina; Muscidae: Bithoracochaeta leucoprocta, Neomyia cornicina
Beetles
Cantharidae: Chauliognathus pennsylvanicus; Chrysomelidae: Disonycha sp.; Coccinellidae: Coccinella novemnotata; Curculionidae: Listronotus caudatus
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Hilty, J. Editor. 2010. Insect Visitors of Illinois Wildflowers. World Wide Web electronic publication. flowervisitors.info, version (09/2010).
See: Abbreviations for Insect Activities, Abbreviations for Scientific Observers, References for behavioral observations H
© John Hilty
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Faunal Associations
The nectar of the flowers attracts various insects, including small bees, wasps, flies, and beetles. The caterpillars of the butterflies Lycaena helloides (Purplish Copper) and Lycaena hyllus (Bronze Copper) feed on Persicaria spp. (Smartweeds), as do the caterpillars of several moths (see the Moth Table for a listing of these species). The seeds of smartweeds are eaten by many ducks, rails, and granivorous songbirds (see the Bird Table for a listing of these species). Because the foliage of Mild Smartweed has little or no peppery flavor, it may be eaten by mammalian herbivores to a greater extent than the foliage of other smartweeds.
© John Hilty
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Illinois Wildflowers
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Life History and Behavior
Cyclicity
Flower/Fruit
Fl. Per.: July-October.
- Flora of Pakistan @ eFloras.org
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Conservation
Conservation Status
NatureServe Conservation Status
Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure
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National NatureServe Conservation Status
Canada
Rounded National Status Rank: NNR - Unranked
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Cultivation
Full or partial sun, wet to moist conditions, and muddy soil are preferred. Saturated soil containing sand or gravel is also tolerated. This plant is often found in shallow water and it almost qualifies as an emergent-aquatic species.
© John Hilty
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Illinois Wildflowers
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Wikipedia
Polygonum hydropiperoides
Polygonum hydropiperoides is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family known by the common name swamp smartweed. It is native to much of North America where it grows in moist and wet habitats, and is sometimes semi-aquatic.
This plant species is quite variable and is sometimes divided into several varieties, some of which may be better treated as species in their own right.[1]
In general, this plant is a rhizomatous perennial herb growing upright or erect and approaching a maximum height of one meter. Roots may emerge from nodes on the lower stem. The bristly lance-shaped leaves are around 10 centimeters long. The leaves have sheathing stipules known as ochrea. The spikelike inflorescence produces many pinkish flowers each about 3 millimeters wide.
References
Source:
Wikipedia
Unreviewed
Names and Taxonomy
Taxonomy
Comments: Treated as Persicaria hydropiperoides in Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2005).
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