Tapertip Smartweed
Persicaria acuminata
- Native to:
- Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Desventurados Is., Dominican Republic, Easter Is., French Guiana, Galápagos, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Uruguay
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Persicaria
- Species:
- Persicaria acuminata
- USDA Symbol:
- POAC6
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, songbirds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, well-drained loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found near water bodies in native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with consistent moisture and cool temperatures following stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI