[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)](../../../../cascade/mtadams/3/buck/polygonum/unidpolygonuminfl.jpg)
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)](../../../../cascade/mtadams/3/buck/polygonum/unidpolygonumlf.jpg)
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)](../../../../cascade/mtadams/3/buck/polygonum/unidpolygonumstipules.jpg)
The photo above shows a close-up of a leaf stipule.
Paul Slichter