Oriental lady's thumb
(Persicaria longiseta (Bruijn) Kitagawa)

Overview

Appearance

Persicaria longiseta is an annual forb that can reach 6-30 in. (15.2-76.2 cm) in height and can be either erect or sprawling.

Foliage

Leaves are elongate, narrow and pointed at the base and tip. Stems have swollen nodes with papery sheaths (ocrea). Ocrea have long, hair-like bristles on the margin.

Flowers

Flowering occurs from June to October, when pink flowers develop at the apex of the stems. Flowers are 0.13 in. (0.3 cm) long and occur in groups.

Fruit

Seeds are smooth, dark colored, dry, and 3 angled.

Ecological Threat

Persicaria longiseta is native to Asia and occurs in disturbed habitats such as along roadsides and in pastures. Plants also inhabit wet areas.

Resources

• Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 4
• Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• New Hampshire Invasive Plant Species Watch List
• Non-Native Invasive Plants of the City of Alexandria, Virginia
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Invasive Plants
• Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
• West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Volunteer Guidelines 2014
• West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999

References