Family: Polygonaceae
Author: (L.) H.Gross
Bibliography: Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 37(2): 113 (1919)
Year: 1919
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Persicaria
Vegetable: False
Observations: Siberia to Himalaya and Temp. E. Asia, C. & E. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A., Hispaniola
Description
American tearthumb, scientifically known as Persicaria sagittata, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family. First documented by H. Gross in 1919 in “Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 37(2): 113,” this species exhibits a vibrant distribution across a variety of regions including Siberia, the Himalayas, temperate East Asia, Central and Eastern Canada, and the Central and Eastern United States. Moreover, it has a notable presence in Hispaniola, showcasing its adaptability to diverse climates and geographies.
The American tearthumb thrives in wet environments, often found in lowland areas such as marshes, riverbanks, and ditches. This plant is well-known for its climbing and twining stems that can effectively latch onto surrounding vegetation, which is facilitated by its thorny, backward-facing barbs. These barbs not only aid in its climbing mechanism but also give rise to its common name, as contact with the plant can cause minor abrasions or tears in the skin.
Characteristically, Persicaria sagittata features arrowhead-shaped leaves which align with its scientific epithet “sagittata,” meaning arrow-shaped. During its blooming season, the American tearthumb produces clusters of small, delicate white or pinkish flowers that add a touch of beauty to its otherwise rugged appearance. These flowers are critical for attracting pollinators, ensuring the plant’s reproductive success and continued propagation across its range.
The American tearthumb is a species of ecological interest due to its role in providing habitat and food for various wildlife species. Its dense growth can offer shelter for smaller animals and insects, while its leaves and stems serve as a food source for certain herbivores. Additionally, it plays a part in stabilizing soil in wetland areas, thus helping to prevent erosion and maintain ecosystem health.
In summary, Persicaria sagittata, or American tearthumb, is a resilient and ecologically significant plant with a broad geographical range. Its distinctive physical traits and adaptive capabilities make it a unique subject of study within the diverse Polygonaceae family.
Common Names
Eng: american tearthumb, arrowleaf tearthumb, arrowvine, arrow-leaved smartweed, arrow-leaved knotweed, arrow-leaved tearthumb, arrow-vine
Fra: renouée sagittée, gratte-cul
En: American tearthumb, Arrowleaf tearthumb, Arrowvine, Arrow-leaved smartweed, Arrow-leaved knotweed, Arrow-leaved tearthumb, Arrow-vine
Fr: Renouée sagittée, Gratte-cul
Synonyms
- Polygonum belophyllum (Litv. ex Grigorjev)
- Polygonum sieboldii var. aesticum ((Makino) Ohwi)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. aestivum ((Ohki) Makino ex Koidz.)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. hallaisanense (H.Lév.)
- Polygonum sieboldii var. pratense (Y.L.Chang & S.X.Li)
- Tracaulon sagittatum var. gracilentum ((Fernald) C.F.Reed)
- Tracaulon sagittatum ((L.) Small)
- Tasoba sagittata ((L.) Raf.)
- Persicaria sagittata f. sericea ((Nakai) H.Hara)
- Polygonum aestivum ((Makino) Makino)
- Persicaria sieboldii f. pilosa (H.Hara)
- Persicaria sagittata f. aestiva ((Makino) H.Hara)
- Truellum sibiricum ((Meisn.) Soják)
- Polygonum sagittatum f. luxurians (Korsh.)
- Truellum sagittatum ((L.) Soják)
- Persicaria sagittata f. pilosa ((H.Hara) H.Hara)
- Polygonum sieboldii var. aestivum ((Ohki) Ohwi)
- Persicaria belophylla ((Litv. ex Grigorjev) Kitag.)
- Truellum paludosum ((Kom.) Soják)
- Persicaria sieboldii var. tomentosa (H.Hara)
- Persicaria sieboldii var. sericea (Nakai ex T.B.Lee)
- Persicaria sieboldii ((Meisn.) Ohki)
- Tracaulon sieboldii ((Meisn.) Greene)
- Persicaria anguillana (Honda)
- Polygonum sagittatum subsp. sieboldii ((Meisn.) Vorosch.)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. boreale (Meisn.)
- Polygonum sagittatum f. tomentosum ((H.Hara) Murata)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. gracilentum (Fernald)
- Polygonum sagittatum f. pilosum ((H.Hara) Murata)
- Persicaria sieboldii var. paludosa ((Kom.) Nakai ex Kitag.)
- Helxine sagittatum ((L.) Raf.)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. sericeum (Nakai)
- Persicaria sagittata var. sieboldii ((Meisn.) Nakai)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. sibiricum (Meisn.)
- Tracaulon sagittatum f. subalbidum (Moldenke)
- Tracaulon sagittatum f. chloranthum ((Fernald) Moldenke)
- Persicaria sagittata f. viridialba ((Honda) H.Hara)
- Persicaria sagittata f. paludosa ((Kom.) H.Hara)
- Truellum sericeum ((Nakai) Soják)
- Truellum sieboldii ((Meisn.) Soják)
- Persicaria sagittata var. sericea ((Nakai) Nakai)
- Persicaria sieboldii var. aestiva ((Ohki) Okuyama)
- Persicaria sagittata f. tomentosa ((H.Hara) H.Hara)
- Truellum aestivum ((Makino) Soják)
- Persicaria sagittata var. sibirica ((Meisn.) Miyabe)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. sieboldii ((Meisn.) Maxim. ex Kom.)
- Tracaulon sibiricum ((Meisn.) Greene)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. paludosum (Kom.)
- Polygonum anguillanum (Koidz.)
- Polygonum sagittatum f. viridialbum ((Honda) Murata)
- Polygonum sagittatum f. chloranthum (Fernald)
- Polygonum sagittatum f. sericeum ((Nakai) Murata)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. ovalifolium (Farw.)
- Persicaria aestiva ((Makino) Ohki)
- Polygonum sagittatum f. aestivum ((Makino) Murata)
- Polygonum sagittatum var. typicum (R.Keller)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Assam (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Mar 2, 2022 by Yunita Apriyanti (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 1, 2022 by ElizKatherine (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6390897)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:695143-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Persicaria sagittata (L.) H.Gross)
Specifications
Growth
