Pygmy Smartweed
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(Persicaria minor)
Pygmy Smartweed (Persicaria minor)
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© bjoerns
CC BY-SA 4.0
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© bjoerns
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CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo by: © bjoerns | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Uploader: bjoerns | Publisher: iNaturalist |
Summary
Persicaria minor, commonly known as Pygmy Smartweed or Small Water Pepper, is a perennial herb native to moist habitats in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. It thrives in wet lowland areas such as riverbanks, ditches, and canal sides. This plant typically reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet, featuring green, reddish-tinged stems and lance-shaped leaves. The pale violet flowers bloom in summer and are arranged in elongated, slender spikes that add a delicate touch to the plant’s appearance.
Pygmy Smartweed is valued for its culinary and medicinal uses, with leaves that can be used fresh or cooked in various dishes. It is also appreciated for its ornamental qualities, particularly in water gardens or as a ground cover in moist, shaded areas. In cultivation, it requires consistently moist soil and can tolerate partial shade to full sun conditions. While it is not particularly drought-tolerant, it can thrive in poorly drained soils. Gardeners should monitor its spread in non-native regions to prevent it from outcompeting local flora.CC BY-SA 4.0
Pygmy Smartweed is valued for its culinary and medicinal uses, with leaves that can be used fresh or cooked in various dishes. It is also appreciated for its ornamental qualities, particularly in water gardens or as a ground cover in moist, shaded areas. In cultivation, it requires consistently moist soil and can tolerate partial shade to full sun conditions. While it is not particularly drought-tolerant, it can thrive in poorly drained soils. Gardeners should monitor its spread in non-native regions to prevent it from outcompeting local flora.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White, Green
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention:
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Moist habitats in Southeast Asia, including riverbanks, ditches, and canal sides
Other Names
Common Names: Small’s Knotweed, Small Smartweed, Small Water-Pepper
Scientific Names: Persicaria minor, Persicaria minor, Persicaria minor subsp. depressa, Persicaria minor var. latifolia, Persicaria pumila, Persicaria stricta, Persicaria tenella, Peutalis minor, Peutalis minus
GBIF Accepted Name: Persicaria minor