Family: Polygonaceae
Author: (Michx.) Small
Bibliography: Fl. S.E. U.S.: 378 (1903)
Year: 1903
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Persicaria
Vegetable: False
Observations: New World
Description
False water-pepper, known scientifically as Persicaria hydropiperoides, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family. This intriguing plant has garnered attention primarily within the New World, where it is native and predominantly observed.
Characteristically, False water-pepper thrives in wetland areas, often flourishing in marshes, along riverbanks, and in wet meadows. The plant is well-adapted to these damp environments and displays a fascinating plasticity in its growth habits, enabling it to thrive in varying moisture conditions.
The morphology of Persicaria hydropiperoides is notable for its slender, erect stems that can vary in length, often branching out toward the upper sections. Its leaves are typically lance-shaped, possessing a smooth margin and a distinctive midrib, which facilitates easy identification. During its blooming season, False water-pepper produces small, clustered flowers that are aesthetically pleasing and ecologically significant, contributing to the local biodiversity by supporting various pollinators.
The historical documentation of False water-pepper dates back to 1903, as cited in the authoritative botanical reference “Flora of the Southeastern United States” on page 378. This comprehensive text underscores the botanical significance and early academic recognition of the species.
Attributed to the noted botanist Michaux and later revised by Small, Persicaria hydropiperoides holds a distinguished place within the botanical community. Its perennial presence and adaptive qualities make it a subject of ongoing scientific interest and ecological importance.
In addition to its botanical attributes, False water-pepper has also been studied for potential uses and benefits within various fields, including traditional medicine and habitat restoration projects. Its resilience and adaptability serve as powerful examples of nature’s ingenuity and the intricate balance within wetland ecosystems.
Common Names
Eng: false water-pepper, mild water-pepper, swamp smartweed, false waterpepper, mild smartweed, mild waterpepper
Fra: renouée faux-poivre-d’eau, persicaire faux-poivre-d’eau, renouée faux-poivre-d’eau variété faux-poivre-d’eau
En: False water-pepper, Swamp smartweed, Mild water-pepper, Swamp knotweed, False waterpepper, Mild smartweed, Mild waterpepper
Ar: بطباط المستنقعات
Nl: Zachte duizendknoop
Fr: Renouée faux-poivre-d’eau, Persicaire faux-poivre-d’eau, Renouée faux-poivre-d’eau variété faux-poivre-d’eau
Pt: Erva-de-bicho
Synonyms
- Polygonum hydropiperoides f. strigosum ((Small) Stanford)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. strigosum (Small)
- Polygonum virgatum var. latifolium (M.Martens & Galeotti)
- Persicaria hydropiperoides var. strigosa ((Small) G.Wilh. & Rericha)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides f. leucochranthum (A.H.Moore)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. macerum (Stanford)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. macounii (Small)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides subsp. opelousanum ((Riddell) W.Stone)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. persicarioides ((Kunth) Stanford)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. psilostachyum (H.St.John)
- Persicaria hydropiperoides var. breviciliata ((Fernald) C.F.Reed)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. sanibelense (Stanford)
- Polygonum opelousanum var. adenocalyx (Stanford)
- Polygonum scabridum (Willd. ex Meisn.)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides f. rubrum (Waterf.)
- Persicaria opelousana ((Riddell) Small)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. breviciliatum (Fernald)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. asperifolium (Stanford)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. adenocalyx ((Stanford) Gleason)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides (Michx.)
- Polygonum tarmense (Ruiz ex Meisn.)
- Persicaria persicarioides ((Kunth) Small)
- Persicaria hydropiperoides var. euronotorum ((Fernald) C.F.Reed)
- Polygonum persoonii (Engelm. ex Meisn.)
- Polygonum persicarioides (Kunth)
- Persicaria paludicola (Small)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. euronotorum (Fernald)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. digitatum (Fernald)
- Polygonum hydropiperoides var. bushianum (Stanford)
- Persicaria hydropiperoides var. bushiana ((Stanford) Mohlenbr.)
- Polygonum opelousanum (Riddell)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Alaska (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- California (native)
- Cayman Is. (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- Chile North (native)
- Chile South (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Florida (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Juan Fernández Is. (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Azores (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Transcaucasus (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Hanno Schäfer (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Aug 6, 2022 by Alexis Dixon (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/2889340)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:190811-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Persicaria hydropiperoides (Michx.) Small)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Crown
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Slow
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.8
Ph minimum: 4.5