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Plant
Identification
Smartweed (Water Pepper)
 Description Management
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Photos
Polygonum
hydropiperoides
Smartweed is a perennial plant
that forms dense colonies in shallow water or moist soils and can grow
to 3 feet tall. Stems are jointed or have swollen leaf nodes that are
surrounded by a tubular sheath. Roots can develop from the leaf nodes.
Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped up to 4 inches long but usually
less than 1/2 inch wide. Flowers are on spikes at the end of stems
(often numerous spikes on the same plant). Flowers begin as greenish
then turn whitish or light pink in color as they mature. Fruits
are flat, triangular (1/8 inch), dark brown to black.
Submerged portions of
all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro
invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by
fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks,
etc). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria
and fungi provides food (called "detritus") for many aquatic invertebrates.
Smartweed seeds are heavily consumed by ducks, small birds, and small
mammals.
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" indicates Non-Native plants.