Swamp Smartweed

Swamp Smartweed

Polygonum hydropiperoides

Swamp Smartweed is another native Smartweed native to Indiana that is enjoyed by wildlife.

There are a number of similar looking species of Smartweed that are differentiated mostly by whether or not they have hairs on various parts of the plants.  Apparently, botanical taxonomists are fascinated by hairs on plants, because there are numerous species that are named based on their hairiness.



Notice that the leaf sheath has a fringe of hairs around it

Whole plant