Flower ID: IMG_8791.JPG-08-20-2021 Flower name (scientific): Persicaria minor (Hudson) Opiz PY: 1852. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) per-sih-KAR-ee-uh MY-nor Flower name (common): Pygmy Smartweed Family name (common): Buckwheat Family name (scientific): Polygonaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From classical Latin persicum, for peach. Referring to the similarity of the leaves of the plant to the leaves of the peach tree. Specific epithet: Latin for smaller or less. Common name origin: From the small size. Smartweed formed by compounding smart + weed. The use of smart could refer to the plant's ability to grow aggressively and resistance to culling measures. Smart could also be used in the sense of sharp physical pain, referring to the ability of various chemical constituents to cause skin irritation. Flower description: Size: 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: white or red Other: flower arrangement, None Plant description: Size: 6 to 15 inches (15 to 38 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, linear to linear-lanceolate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual Habitat: Pond margins, marshes, sun or semi-shade, moist to wet. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Some of the other Persicaria species have a resemablance to Persicaria minor. Several characteristics to look for to help identify this species: plants 5 to 30 cm, stems glabrous or scabrous (rough to the touch) distally, petiole 1 to 2 mm in length, leaf blade without dark blotch, linear to linear-lanceolate in shape, and typically 2 to 7.5 cm long by 0.4 to 1 cm wide. Ocrea are brownish-colored, 3 to 10 mm in length, ciliate with bristles that are typically 1 to 3 mm in length, and the surface is glabrous. Inflorescences usually interrupted proximally, uninterrupted distally, and about 1 to 5 cm in length. Flowers pink to red, glabrous, and not punctate. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.805227 Longitude: -91.527000 Altitude: 245.70 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Bayfield, Burnett, Dane, Jackson, Juneau, Sauk) Click here for distribution map In US: (CT, IL, IN, LA, MA, MN, NE, NJ, NY, PA, VA, VT, WI) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (NB, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Harold R. Hinds, Craig C. Freeman In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico [Online]. 22+ vols. New York and Oxford. Vol. 5. http://floranorthamerica.org/Persicaria_minor. Accessed [03-04-2022]. Synonym(s): Basionym: Polygonum minus William Hudson Fl. Angl. (Hudson) 148 1762. Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): OBL Wetland Status (MW): OBL