Etymology: Persicaria: peach-like, the medieval name for knotweed
Plants: erect, terrestrial or floating, perennial, aquatic forb 1'-5' tall; stems branched with usually several major stems flowering; from rhizomes
Leaves: alternate, base not jointed, up to 2 1/3" wide
Flowers: pink to red, 5-parted, 3/16" long, cup-shaped, petals and petal-like sepals bluntly rounded at the tip and connected at the base; inflorescence 3/4"-6" solitary or paired, spike-like, terminal clusters 1/3"-3/4" thick on a stalk jointed at the top; blooms June-Sept.
Fruits: shiny, dark, dry seed
Habitat: wet; meadows, shallows, water < 7' deep; in sediment soil
Conservation Status: Native

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 5, Wetland Indicator = OBL USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Wetland Plants: Photos, descriptions, information USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"