Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum) is an annual and prevalent wildflower approximating 30-120 cm. in height. The leaves of Pennsylvania smartweed are long and lanceolote to elliptic in shapre. Flowers are approximately 3 mm. in length and are light pink in color. Each bloom has 4-6 sepals which form slightly ovate grain-like structures. Flowers are arranged in elongated clusters approximately varying in length and width.
Pennsylvania smartweed is a member of the Polygonaceae family. A key characteristic that all members of the Polygonaceae family have is that of swollen nodes. The genus name Polygonum means "many knees." These nodes are covered with a clear or whitish membranous sheath called an ocrea.
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| Rheum, sheathing leaf base or "ocrea" University of Washington |
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| Universidad Nacional del Nordeste |
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| Pennsylvania smartweed ocrea Virginia Tech University |
Ocrea pubescence and size often help distinguish many of the smartweed species from one another.
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| Polygonum pensylvanicum |
Pennsylvania smartweed, along with various other species of smartweed are a part of the buckwheat family. The seeds are a popular food source for many animals including ducks, geese, bobwhites, mourning doves, ring-necked pheasants, some rails, and many non-game birds. Some mammals such as muskrat and raccoons eat the plant or seeds.
Additional Information
Pennsylvania Smartweed Factsheet - USDA
Pecíolo y base foliar - Universidad Nacional del Nordeste
Increasing Your Knowledge About Smartweeds - University of Illinois
