Swamp Smartweed
Persicaria hydropiperoides
- Native to:
- Argentina, Azores, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Is., Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Galápagos, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Juan Fernández Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, United States, Uruguay
Gordon Leppig & Andrea J. Pickart
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Persicaria
- Species:
- Persicaria hydropiperoides
- USDA Symbol:
- POHY2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Chionodes discoocellella, Epidemia helloides
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Fiery Skipper (Hylephila phyleus), Icaricia acmon
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, songbirds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and along water bodies.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best in consistently moist to wet conditions. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI