[Fleeceflowers and Knotweeds: The Genera Aconogonon, Bistorta, Fagopyrum, Fallopia, Persicaria and Polygonum East of the Cascades of Oregon and Washington]

Curltop Ladysthumb, Pale Smartweed, Willowweed, Willow-weed

Persicaria lapathifolia

Synonyms: Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. incanum, Polygonum lapathifolium var. nodosum, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium

Inflroescence of Curltop Ladysthumb, Pale Smartweed, Willowweed, Willow-weed: Persicaria lapathifolia (Synonyms: Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. incanum, Polygonum lapathifolium var. nodosum, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium)

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.

Stem leaf of Curltop Ladysthumb, Pale Smartweed, Willowweed, Willow-weed: Persicaria lapathifolia (Synonyms: Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. incanum, Polygonum lapathifolium var. nodosum, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium)

The similar Polygonum persicaria commonly has purple-spotted leaves.

Leaf stipules of Curltop Ladysthumb, Pale Smartweed, Willowweed, Willow-weed: Persicaria lapathifolia (Synonyms: Polygonum lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. lapathifolium, Polygonum lapathifolium var. incanum, Polygonum lapathifolium var. nodosum, Polygonum lapathifolium var. salicifolium)

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