Persicaria amphibia
Polygonaceae
Water Smartweed
Aquatic or amphibious. Leaves along stems, oblong to lance-shaped, often tinted brown, shiny, with noticeable veins. Flowers numerous, bright pink, held on stalks from upper part of stem. Floats in shallow water or grows in wet soils at edges of water, at all elevations below subalpine. Soils may dry in autumn. Var. emersum (pictured, also known as P. coccineum) has upright stems with lance-shaped leaves and flower spike to 2 in. Var. stipulaceum floats, with oblong leaf, and 1 in. flower spike.
- Rarity: Common
- Flowering Time: Early Spring, Mid Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Mid Summer, Late Summer
- Flower Form: 4-6 petals, flowers in clusters
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 6–12 inches
- Habitat: Bog/Fen/Wetland, Lake/Pond
- Found In: East Gorge, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP, West Gorge
- Native: Yes
- Latin Synonyms: Polygonum amphibium
