Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Persicaria punctata (Elliott) Small
(Smartweed)

Family: Polygonaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Polygonum punctatum Elliot

Persicaria punctata has a glandular punctate perianth, like Persicaria lapathifolia; however, P. punctata does not have the anchor shaped tepal veins of P. lapathifolia. The tepals are about 3mm long and the flowers are less crowded along the inflorescence than those of P. lapathifolia. The ocrea terminate in filaments. Persicaria punctata is found in moist areas next to seeps and streams.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Persicaria punctata, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Richard Felger & Kelly Kindscher, in the floodplain of the West Fork of the Gila, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, July 30, 2013



Persicaria punctata, detail of leaf, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Richard Felger & Kelly Kindscher, in the floodplain of the West Fork of the Gila, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, July 30, 2013



Persicaria punctata, closeup of ocrea, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Richard Felger & Kelly Kindscher, in the floodplain of the West Fork of the Gila, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, July 30, 2013



Persicaria punctata, 3x field macro of glandular tepals that do not have the anchor shaped veins present on P. lapathifolia, photo Russ Kleinman, Bill Norris, Richard Felger & Kelly Kindscher, in the floodplain of the West Fork of the Gila, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, July 30, 2013


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