Persicaria Species, Pink Smartweed

Pink Smartweed (Persicaria bicornis) is a native wetlands plant that inhabits moist disturbed places, marshes, edges of rivers, ponds and...Read More reservoirs, ditches and moist cultivated fields in Arkansas, Colorado., Illinois., Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana., Missouri., Nebraska., New Mexico, Oklahoma., South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. I have not grown this plant myself, but have observed it in its native habitat. Its may grow between .5 to 5 feet tall; but, it is usually between 2 to 3 feet tall.

Many times it is included in Persicaria pensylvanica. However, it can be distinguished easily by its heterostylous flowers. Its exserted stamens and styles give it a more fringed appearance. The blooms are more "open"; whereas, the Persicaria pensylvanica blooms are more cupped. Also, its fruit (achenes) usually have an obscure or prominent hump in the center of one face. which typically ruptures the side of the perianth upon fruiting. In addition, the Persicaria bicornis leaf blades are narrower than the leaf blades of Persicaria pensylvanica.