Smartweed (3)

Water Smartweed
Persicaria amphibia (Polygonum amphibium)

Family:Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)
AKA: Water Knotweed, Longroot Smartweed
Photo taken on: July 6, 2006
Location: Grant Lake, Skyland, GV, CO
Life Zones: Plains to montane
Habitat: Pond and lake edges

Long stems root in mud or in water and leaves float on the water surface. Dense, narrowly egg-shaped, pink flower clusters are held erect above the water.

Flora of North America reference.

Spotted Lady's Thumb
Persicaria maculosa

Family:Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)
AKA: Lady's-thumb Smartweed, Redshank
Photo taken on: September 2, 2020
Location: Almont, CO
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Moist waste areas, ditches

Grows sprawling or erect from a few inches to 3 feet. Leaves are lance-shaped and have a dark blotch in the center. Flowers grow in a tight spikes at the end of branches.

Flora of North America reference.

Curlytop Knotweed
Persicaria lapathifolia

Family:Buckwheat (Polygonaceae)
AKA: Pale Smartweed, Pale Persicaria, Willow Weed,
 Dock-leaved Smartweed, Curlytop Smartweed,
 Nodding Smartweed, Curltop Lady's Thumb
Photo taken on: July 1, 2014
Location: Rio Chama, Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Moist waste areas

Grows to 30" with erect stems and long lance-shaped leaves, with a prominent white vein and sometimes a dark blotch in the center. Leaves are larges than other Persicaria species. The pale pinkish-green flowers grow in a dense spike which droops as it matures.

Flora of North America reference.