Dotted Smartweed
Persicaria punctata
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Is., Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Galápagos, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Prince Edward I., Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Uruguay, Windward Is.
Robert H. Mohlenbrock
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Persicaria
- Species:
- Persicaria punctata
- USDA Symbol:
- POPU5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Argyrogramma verruca, Coleophora shaleriella, Monochroa absconditella, Nais tiger moth (Apantesis nais), Smeared Dagger Moth (Acronicta oblinita), Epidemia helloides
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, waterfowl
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (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 with cold stratification and consistent moisture. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI