[Knotweeds and Smartweeds: The Genera Aconogonon, Fallopia, Persicaria and Polgyonum in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Washington]

Curltop Ladysthumb, Dock-leaf Smartweed, Pale Smartweed, Willow Weed

Persicaria lapathifolia

Synonyms: Polygonum incarnatum, Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium, Polygoum linicola, Polygonum nodosum, Polygonum scabrum, Polygonum tomentosum

Inflorescence of Curltop Ladysthumb, Dock-leaf Smartweed, Pale Smartweed, Willow Weed: Persicaria lapathifolia (Synonyms: Polygonum incarnatum, Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium, Polygoum linicola, Polygonum nodosum, Polygonum scabrum, Polygonum tomentosum)

The photos on this page were taken along Road #23 at the Mt. Adams Viewpoint about one-half mile south of the intersection with Road 8810........September 25, 2005. As seen here, willow-weed typically has several to many axillary racemes each less than 3 cm long at the distal end of the stem.

Leaf of Curltop Ladysthumb, Dock-leaf Smartweed, Pale Smartweed, Willow Weed: Persicaria lapathifolia (Synonyms: Polygonum incarnatum, Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium, Polygoum linicola, Polygonum nodosum, Polygonum scabrum, Polygonum tomentosum)

The photo above shows a stem leaf of willow-weed. The similar Polygonum persicaria commonly has purple-spotted leaves.

Leaf stipule of Curltop Ladysthumb, Dock-leaf Smartweed, Pale Smartweed, Willow Weed: Persicaria lapathifolia (Synonyms: Polygonum incarnatum, Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium, Polygoum linicola, Polygonum nodosum, Polygonum scabrum, Polygonum tomentosum)

The photo above shows a close-up of a leaf stipule.

Curltop Ladysthumb, Dock-leaf Smartweed, Pale Smartweed, Willow Weed: Persicaria lapathifolia (Synonyms: Polygonum incarnatum, Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium, Polygoum linicola, Polygonum nodosum, Polygonum scabrum, Polygonum tomentosum)

The photo above shows an upright stem of willow-weed as seen from the shoreline of the Deschutes River about one-quarter mile upstream from its junction with the Columbia River........September 1, 2007.

Curltop Ladysthumb, Dock-leaf Smartweed, Pale Smartweed, Willow Weed: Persicaria lapathifolia (Synonyms: Polygonum incarnatum, Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium, Polygoum linicola, Polygonum nodosum, Polygonum scabrum, Polygonum tomentosum)

The photo above shows a close-up of the stem of willow-weed as seen on the beach at The Dalles Riverside Park........September 29, 2007.
Paul Slichter