Freshwater Wetlands/ False Water-pepper

COMMON NAME: False Water Pepper

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Polygonum hydropiperoids

FAMILY: Polygonaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater wetlands

STATUS: Naturalized

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 3 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late July to November

FRUITING TIME: Late July to November

DISTRIBUTION: Quebec to South America.  Statewide in NJ.

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Leaves are simple and alternate with stipules usually present

GENERAL INFORMATION: Members of this family (Polygonaceae), commonly called the Buckwheat or Smartweed family, include 51 genera and 1,150 species.  Polu means “many” and gonu means “knee” for the swollen stem joints of many species.  Food plants in this family include Buckwheat, Sorrel and Rhubarb. Another species in this genus, Water Pepper (Polygonum hydropiper) was used by Native Americans as treatment for bloody urine, as an astringent, for stomachache, and to prevent abortion.  The plant was poulticed (soft, moist mass of plant parts wrapped and applied warm or hot to the skin) for applications to swellings, and to treat inflammations and pain.  A decoction (medicine prepared by boiling thick parts of plant; ingested hot or cold) was taken for fever, chills, and in small amounts for indigestion.  Water pepper was also used as a fish poison. In 1797 it was reported that Black American in Richmond, Virginia would throw a basket full of Water Pepper in lakes or ponds, stir it about, and soon fish would come to the surface in a torpid state and be easily taken. In Chinese medicine, a decoction of the whole plant was taken for bacterial dysentery, heat stroke, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.