Curlytop Knotweed
Persicaria tomentosa
- Native to:
- Baltic States, Bulgaria, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Finland, Føroyar, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kriti, Kuril Is., Labrador, Nansei-shoto, North Caucasus, Norway, Russia, Sweden, Transcaucasus, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan
JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ (www.jjharrison.com.au) )
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polygonaceae
- Genus:
- Persicaria
- Species:
- Persicaria tomentosa
- USDA Symbol:
- POLA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Bordered Sallow (Pyrrhia umbra), common tan wave (Pleuroprucha insulsaria), corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Pseudeustrotia carneola, Simyra henrici, Smartweed Borer (Ostrinia obumbratalis), Epidemia helloides
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, fertile, loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wetland areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI