Swamp Smartweed

Persicaria amphibia is native to Minnesota, and has both aquatic and terrestrial versions of itself. That’s pretty smart! Few plants are able to grow under both conditions, but true to its name, swamp smartweed can and does, making it a truly amphibious species.

Leaves are oval, up to 8″ long and 3″ wide. Aquatic forms may have longer stems reaching up to the water surface to allow the leaves to float. A spike-like raceme rises from the center of each leaf stalk in a cluster of tiny flowers that are each only about 1/8″ wide. The bright pink tepals (petals and sepals) open to reveal 5 pink-tipped stamens probing outward far beyond the flower.

From June to September, swamp smartweed blooms claim their place on water and land alike for us to discover from the side of a boat or along the inland shore.