Persicaria longistyla (Small) Small

Scientific Name: Persicaria longistyla (Small) Small


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Caryophyllidae / Polygonales / Polygonaceae / Polygonum L./ Persicaria longistyla (Small) Small

<i>Persicaria longistyla</i> (Small) Small
General Information
Usda SymbolPELO7
GroupDicot
Life CycleAnnual
Growth HabitsForb/herb
Native LocationsPELO7

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Persicaria longistyla (Small) Small is planted.

Fact Sheet

Uses

This plant is an excellent wildlife food plant, especially for waterfowl. Twenty species of ducks, geese, bobwhites, mourning doves, ring-necked pheasants, and four species of rails, as well as 30 nongame birds, eat the seeds. Dense stands provide cover for young waterfowl, marsh birds, and wintering pheasants. Plants and/or seeds are eaten by white-footed mice, muskrat, raccoons, and fox squirrels.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Description

Knotweed Family (Polygonaceae). Pennsylvania smartweed is an annual herb that has small, five-parted pink or rose colored flowers on a short spike. It grows 2 to 4(6) feet high. The flowering branches have stalked glands. The stems have a reddish color and swollen nodes. The alternate leaves have sheaths extending around the stems. The seeds are black, shiny, flattened, and almost round. There are approximately 62,000 seeds per pound.

Adaptation and Distribution

Distribution

Distribution

Pennsylvania smartweed is adapted to soils of all drainage classes except droughty soils, It commonly occurs on mudflats of fresh water to moderately brackish areas throughout the Northeast, Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Persicaria longistyla (Small) Small., Pennsylvania smartweed is distributed throughout the entire Unites States, excluding a few northwestern states, For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site,

Establishment

A seedbed that reduces most weed competition and permits smartweed to be covered by one inch of soil depth is usually sufficient. Drop water quickly and broadcast seed on top of wet ground in mudflats or drawdown areas. Seed after the last killing frost in the spring. Smartweed may be seeded later so that seed maturity coincides with the arrival of migratory birds. Seeds are generally broadcast at a rate of 10-15 pounds per acre. Robert H. Mohlbenbrock USDA NRCS 1989 Midwest Wetland Flora @ USDA NRCS PLANTS

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)32
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceMedium
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum95
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum8.5
pH, Minimum4.0
Precipitation, Maximum60
Precipitation, Minimum12
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)14
Salinity ToleranceLow
Shade ToleranceIntolerant


Morphology/Physiology

After Harvest Regrowth RateSlow
ToxicityNone
Shape and OrientationErect
Nitrogen FixationNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Active Growth PeriodSummer
BloatNone
C:N RatioMedium
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorRed
Flower ConspicuousYes
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage TextureMedium
Fruit/Seed ColorBlack
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormSingle Crown
Growth RateModerate
Height, Mature (feet)3.9
Known AllelopathNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous


Reproduction

Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Seed per Pound126111
Fruit/Seed Period EndFall
Seed Spread RateRapid
Seedling VigorMedium
Small GrainNo
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed AbundanceMedium
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodSpring
Propagated by CuttingsNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

<i>Persicaria longistyla</i> (Small) Small

<i>Persicaria longistyla</i> (Small) Small

<i>Persicaria longistyla</i> (Small) Small

<i>Persicaria longistyla</i> (Small) Small

<i>Persicaria longistyla</i> (Small) Small

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