Pennsylvania Smartweed     or Pink Knotweed

Pennsylvania Smartweed     or Pink Knotweed

Polygonum pensylvanicum

Buckwheat Family - Polygonaceae

Flowers with 4 to 6 petal-like sepals only. Leaves long (4 to 6 inches), narrow, pointed with a tapering base and forming a distinct, bristle-free sheath at the stem. Stem green with reddish coloration at the joints formed by the leaf sheath. (Photographed with Ron Wulf – September)

At the edge of marshes, ponds and other wet areas, as well as fields, a 1 to 4 foot tall, straggly plant with the small (1/8 inch) pink flowers compactly organized in 2 to 4 elongated spikes.

© Pathology Images Inc. 2000 to 2002