Water Smartweed (Persicaria amphipia)

     Water Smartweed is a native perennial that grows up to three feet tall on land and up to six feet tall on water. The flowers of water smartweed are bright pink, five-lobed, and occur in dense clusters at the top of the stem. Each flower measures up to 1/4-inch wide. The leaves of water smartweed are alternate, ovate, and sharply pointed. The terrestrial form has leaf petioles that are rigid, a half-inch long, and leaf blades that measure up to six inches long and about an inch wide. The aquatic form has stems that branch underwater and bear alternate floating leaves that are smooth, one to two inches long and one to two inches wide. Water Smartweed can be found in moist soil, ditches, along shores, shallow slow-moving or quiet waters. (SF)