Family: Polygonaceae
Author: (L.) Delarbre
Bibliography: Fl. Auvergne, ed. 2: 519 (1800)
Year: 1800
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Persicaria
Vegetable: False
Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere to W. & C. Malesia, N. Africa to Ethiopia
Description
Pale knotweed, scientifically known as Persicaria lapathifolia, is a noteworthy species within the Polygonaceae family. This plant was first formally documented in the second edition of the “Flore d’Auvergne” in 1800 by the author (L.) Delarbre.
Pale knotweed thrives in a variety of climates and regions, largely distributed across the Subarctic and temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Its range extends further to encompass areas in Western and Central Malesia, as well as Northern Africa reaching as far south as Ethiopia. This extensive geographical span illustrates the plant’s adaptability to different environmental conditions.
Identifying characteristics of Persicaria lapathifolia include its slender, jointed stems and broad, lance-shaped leaves, which are typically pale green in color. The plant generally flourishes in moist habitats, often found in marshlands, riverbanks, and agricultural fields. Pale knotweed is an annual plant, meaning it completes its lifecycle within a single growing season, germinating, flowering, and seeding annually.
Ecologically, Pale knotweed plays a role in its habitats by providing food for a variety of insect species. However, it can also be considered a weed in certain agricultural contexts due to its prolific growth and hardy nature, which allows it to compete aggressively with crops for resources.
In summary, the pale knotweed is a versatile and widespread plant known for its robust adaptability and presence in diverse habitats across large geographical areas.
Common Names
Deu: acker-ampfer-knöterich, ampfer-knöterich
Eng: curlytop knotweed, pale smartweed
Nld: beklierde duizendknoop
Nob: kjertelhønsegras
Nno: kjertelhønsegras
Swe: pilört, ukontatar
Fin: ukontatar
En: Pale knotweed, Pale persicaria, Pale smartweed, Pink knotweed, Dock-Leaf Smartweed, Curlytop knotweed, Dock leaved smartweed, Willow weed, Curltop lady’s-thumb, Curlytop smartweed, Dock-leaved smartweed, Nodding smartweed, Pinkweed, Willow-leaved smartweed, Green Smartweed, Curltop ladysthumb, Smartweed
Az: Kələkötür qırxbuğum
Be: Драсён раскідзісты
Bg: Лапатолистно пипериче
Ca: Herba presseguera lapatifòlia, Presseguera borda, Presseguera lapatifòlia
Zh: Ma liao, 酸模叶蓼
Hr: Kiseličasti dvornik
Cs: Rdesno blešník
Da: Knudet pileurt
Nl: Beklierde duizendknoop, Bleek knoopkruid, Knopige duizendknoop, Beklierde duizendknoop subsp. brittingeri, Beklierde duizendknoop subsp. lapathifolia, Beklierde duizendknoop subsp. mesomorpha, Beklierde duizendknoop subsp. pallida
Et: Kahar kilbirohi
Fi: Ukontatar, Rikkaukontatar
Fr: Renouée à feuilles de patience, Renouée noueuse, Renouée à feuilles d’oseille, Persicaire pâle, Persicaire à feuilles de patience, Persicaire élevée, Renouée scabre, Renouée gonflée, Renouée pâle, Langue de Bœuf, Renouée, Renouée du Danube
De: Ampfer-Knöterich, Acker-Ampferknöterich, Ampfer Knöterich, Ampferblättriger Knöterich, Ampferknöterich
Is: Lóblaðka
It: Poligono nodoso, Persicaria maggiore
Ko: 명아주여뀌
Lv: Skābeņlapu sūrene
Pl: Rdest szczawiolistny
Pt: Polygonum lapathifolium
Pt-br: Erva-de-bicho-pruinosa
Ru: Горец развесистый
Sk: Horčiak štiavolistý
Es: Hierba pejiguera, Pata de perdiz, Persicaria mayor, Poligono pata de perdiz, Persicaria, Perseguera
Sv: Pilört, Strandpilört, Vanlig pilört
Zh-tw: 早苗蓼, 酸模葉蓼
Zh-hant: 酸模葉蓼
Uk: Гірчак шорсткий
Cy: Canwraidd y dom, Costog y Dom, Costog y Domen, Gwlydd y Dom, Llys y Dom, Llysiau’r Dom, Llysiau’r Domen, Tafod yr Iâr
Synonyms
- Polygonum barbatum (Thunb.)
- Polygonum ochreatum (Houtt.)
- Polygonum nodosum (Pers.)
- Polygonum pallens (Pers.)
- Polygonum punctatum (Krock.)
- Polygonum pseudonodosum (Ohki)
- Polygonum tenuiflorum (C.Presl)
- Polygonum nodosum var. brittingeri ((Opiz) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Polygonum brittingeri (Opiz)
- Persicaria incarnata ((Elliott) Small)
- Polygonum eurybelonum (Danser)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. laxum ((Rchb.) Hook.f.)
- Polygonum danubiale (A.Kern.)
- Polygonum vanictianum ((H.Lév.) H.Lév.)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. glandulosa ((Nakai) Soják)
- Persicaria mesomorpha ((Danser) Büscher & G.H.Loos)
- Persicaria lapathifolia f. alba (Y.N.Lee)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. nodosum ((Pers.) Schübl. & G.Martens)
- Dioctis maculatum (Raf.)
- Discolenta lapathifolia (Raf.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. semilatum (Danser)
- Polygonum incarnatum (Elliott)
- Persicaria tenuiflora ((C.Presl) H.Hara)
- Persicaria saporoviensis ((Klokov) Tzvelev)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. genystachium (H.St.John ex Irigoyen & Thell.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. nodosum ((Pers.) Wimm. & Grab.)
- Polygonum araucanum (Phil.)
- Polygonum andrzejowskianum (Klokov)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. syringifolia ((Danser) Soják)
- Persicaria lapathifolia var. rubra (Gray)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. syringifolium (Danser)
- Polygonum nodosum var. incarnatum ((Elliott) A.Gray)
- Polygonum incanum var. angustifolium (Mérat)
- Polygonum euryphyllum (Danser)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. danubiale ((A.Kern.) Fiek)
- Polygonum persicaria var. nodosum ((Pers.) Schltdl.)
- Polygonum pensylvanicum var. oneillii ((Brenckle) Hultén)
- Polygonum hydropiper var. sarbhanganicum ((Subba Rao) R.C.Srivast.)
- Polygonum valdivianum (Phil.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. brittingeri ((Opiz) Beck)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. incanum (Boenn.)
- Polygonum glareosum (Phil.)
- Polygonum glutinosum (Wall. ex Meisn.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. maculatum ((Sibth.) Dyer & Trimen)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. mesomorpha ((Danser) Soják)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. incarnatum ((Elliott) S.Watson)
- Persicaria glandulosa (Nakai)
- Persicaria bioritsuensis ((Ohki) Ohki ex Nakai)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. hypanica ((Klokov) Soják)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. riparium (H.Post)
- Polygonum persicaria var. lapathifolium ((L.) Meisn.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. neglectum (J.Schust.)
- Polygonum decumbens (Schur)
- Persicaria vaniotiana (H.Lév.)
- Polygonum obliquum (Kit.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. viride (A.Braun)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. xanthophyllum (H.W.Kung)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. semilanceifolium (Danser)
- Peutalis scabra (Raf.)
- Persicaria lapathifolia var. nodosa ((Pers.) Gorman)
- Polygonum cumingianum (Gand.)
- Persicaria hypanica ((Klokov) Tzvelev)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. nodosa ((Pers.) Á.Löve)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. lonchophyllum (Danser)
- Polygonum saporoviense (Klokov)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. viridiflorum (Wimm. & Grab.)
- Polygonum hassanabdalicum (Chaudhri)
- Polygonum lapathifolium f. pallidum (Farw.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. latifolium (Becker)
- Persicaria brittingeri ((Opiz) Opiz)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. turgida ((Thuill.) Soják)
- Polygonum pyramidale (H.Lév.)
- Persicaria nodosa ((Pers.) Opiz)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. punctatum (Gremli)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. angustifolium (Wallr.)
- Polygonum komarovii (H.Lév.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. agreste (Wimm.)
- Persicaria tomentosa var. glabrior (Lunell)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. mesomorphum (Danser)
- Polygonum pseudojaponicum (Ohki)
- Polygonum nodosum var. incanum (Ledeb.)
- Persicaria turgida ((Thuill.) Holub)
- Polygonum bracteosum (Phil.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium (Sibth.)
- Polygonum nutans (Roxb.)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. andrzejowskiana ((Klokov) Soják)
- Polygonum persicaria var. vernicosa (Cham. & Schltdl.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. laxum ((Rchb.) H.Post)
- Dioctis vernum (Raf.)
- Polygonum obtusatum (Steud. ex Meisn.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. danubiale ((A.Kern.) O.Schwarz)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. leptoclada ((Danser) Wissk.)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. klokovii (Soják)
- Persicaria oneillii (Brenckle)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. virescens (Gren.)
- Polygonum baumgartenianum (Schur)
- Pleuropteropyrum ochreatum (Nakai)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. semidanubiale (Danser)
- Discolenta scabra (Raf.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. leptocladum (Danser)
- Peutalis nodosa ((Pers.) Raf.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. oligocladum (Danser)
- Polygonum somphocarpum (Bruyn)
- Polygonum lanigerum var. cristatum (Hemsl.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium f. maximum (Regel)
- Polygonum spectabile var. patagonica (Speg.)
- Polygonum pensylvanicum subsp. oneilii ((Brenckle) Hultén)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. euryphyllum ((Danser) Irigoyen & Thell.)
- Polygonum sarbhanganicum (Subba Rao)
- Polygonum pericaria var. incanum ((F.W.Schmidt) Wahlenb.)
- Persicaria pseudojaponica ((Ohki) Nakai)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. lanceolatum (A.Braun)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. acutifolium (Wallr.)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. oligoclada ((Danser) Soják)
- Persicaria lapathifolia f. baumgarteniana ((Schur) Dostál)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. prostratum (Wimm.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. secondaireanum ((Sennen) Sennen)
- Polygonum simlense (Royle ex Bab.)
- Persicaria pseudonodosa ((Ohki) Sasaki)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. maculatum (Sibth.)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. brittingeri ((Opiz) Soják)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. punctatum ((Gremli) J.Schust.)
- Polygonum utriculatum (Remy)
- Polygonum turgidum (Thuill.)
- Persicaria laxa ((Rchb.) Soják)
- Polygonum adenophorum (Spreng.)
- Peutalis incana (Raf.)
- Polygonum laxum (Rchb.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. semisyringifolium (Danser)
- Polygonum lanigerum var. glutinosum ((Wall. ex Meisn.) Hook.f.)
- Polygonum hypanicum (Klokov)
- Polygonum lapathifolium f. nodosum ((Pers.) Regel)
- Polygonum bioritauense (Ohki)
- Polygonum petecticale ((Stokes) Druce)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. stenobelonum (Danser)
- Persicaria lapathifolia var. salicifolia ((Sibth.) Miyabe)
- Polygonum viscosum (Bastard ex Meisn.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. ovatum (A.Braun)
- Persicaria komarovii ((H.Lév.) Soják)
- Persicaria lapathifolia subsp. saporoviensis ((Klokov) Soják)
- Persicaria krugii (H.Gross & Loes.)
- Polygonum lanceifolium (Danser)
- Polygonum lapathifolium var. gibbosum (Chabert)
- Polygonum glandulosum (Kit.)
- Polygonum maculatum (Krock.)
- Persicaria maculata ((Sibth.) Gray)
- Polygonum lapathifolium (L.)
- Polygonum lapathifolium subsp. brittingeri ((Opiz) Rech.f.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Alabama (native)
- Alaska (native)
- Albania (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Ascension (native)
- Assam (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- California (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Denmark (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Finland (native)
- Florida (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- India (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Utah (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Botswana (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
- Malawi (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
- Zambia (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Flower
Taken Aug 8, 2017 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 7, 2020 by peter.banksii (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Eddy Swerink (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2022 by danchy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 14, 2021 by Pierre Bruneau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Илья (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 8, 2021 by Gilles Istin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Simon der Schmied (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Carsten Zwernemann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Jean-François Baudin (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 9, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 9, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2021 by Richard Thomas (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2019 by Vi Dec (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Elisabeth S (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Albert Mallol Camprubí (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Patrice Bracquart (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2022 by Sanne Plant (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2889262)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77069480-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Persicaria lapathifolia (L.) Delarbre)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7820611)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Soil nutriments: 8
