Persicaria sp.
Smartweed, Smartweed
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Family: Polygonaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Persicaria sp. (Smartweed) is a non-native California perennial in the Polygonaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Polygonum: Persicaria has opaque stem sheaths; Polygonum has translucent sheaths that split into two lobes.; vs Rumex: Persicaria has spike-like pink/white flower clusters; Rumex has branched greenish flower clusters.; vs Trifolium: Persicaria has spike/head flower clusters and papery stem sheaths; Trifolium has clover heads and no sheaths.; vs Salix: Persicaria is an herb with flower spikes; Salix is a woody shrub with catkins.; vs Phytolacca: Persicaria has small pink/white flowers in spikes; Phytolacca has white-green flowers and dark purple berries.
Frequently asked questions
Is Persicaria sp. native to California?
No. Persicaria sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Persicaria sp. belong to?
Persicaria sp. is in the Polygonaceae family, genus Persicaria.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Persicaria wallichii — Himalayan knotweed
- Persicaria amphibia — Water smartweed
- Persicaria capitata — Himalayan smartweed
- Persicaria hydropiper — Waterpepper
- Persicaria hydropiperoides — False waterpepper
- Persicaria lapathifolia — Willow weed
- Polygonaceae sp. — Buckwheat family
- Polygonum argyrocoleon — Persian knotweed
- Polygonum austiniae — Mrs. austin's knotweed
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.