Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Pennsylvania Smartweed
Persicaria pensylvanica [C-value
0]
Smartweed family (Polygonaceae)
Blooms August -
mid-September
The native Pennsylvania Smartweed is common in our area. It prefers full or partial sun and moist rich loamy soil. Habitats include swamps, low areas near ponds or streams and degraded seasonal wetlands. This annual plant is 1-4' tall, branching occasionally and more or less erect. The stems may zigzag between its alternate leaves, untoothed, up to 7" long and 2½" across, and narrowly lance-shaped. The upper stems terminate in 1-2 erect flower racemes, about ¾-2½" long, that are spike-like with densely crowded flowers and buds. Each tiny flower, about 1/8" long, has 5 tepals that are white, light pink or lavender.
Pennsylvania Smartweed at Subat Forest Preserve (wetland) September 2, 2013
Pennsylvania Smartweed at Subat Forest Preserve (wetland) September 2, 2013
The bitter taste of Smartweed leaves is “smarting” and the plant was sometimes called "Water-Pepper”. It was used by Native Americans as an antiseptic and as a stimulant for “pains of the joints”.
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