Native throughout most of the world

Pale smartweed Persicaria lapathifolia is considered to be native throughout most of the world, from arctic to tropical realms, except South America and Southern Africa. Erect or ascending annual or biennial, herb, 0.8–1.8 m high. Flowers are white, pink, August to May. Sandy mud, black mud, coarse clay loam. Damp situations, floodplains, margins of pools, creeks and rivers.

Photo taken under Walton Bridge In Walton Bridge Reserve The Gap Brisbane. Photo: Robert Whyte

Flowers close-up. Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

The fruit is a rounded, flattened nut. Can be propagated by seed, stem cuttings or division.