Bayshore/ Pennsylvania Smartweed

COMMON NAME: Pennsylvania Smartweed

OTHER COMMON NAME(S):

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Polygonum pensylvanicum 

FAMILY: Polygonaceae

COMMUNITY: Bayshore

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: to 6 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Early June to late October

FRUITING TIME: Early August to November

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to Florida and west to South Dakota ~ Statewide in NJ

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Erect branching ~ Leaves lance shaped, swollen leaf nodes with sheath surrounding nodes ~ Flowers tiny, terminal racemes, elongated often in clusters, rose, pink or white ~ Stems round in cross section ~ Seeds black or brown ~ Propagate by seeds and rhizomes ~ Seeds lenticular (lens shaped)

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. This genus (Polygonum) is widespread and some of these Smartweeds are edible wild plants.  Many are mild tasting and eaten as cooked greens or in salad.  The rootstock of Alpine Smartweed (Polygonum viviparum) can be eaten raw, boiled or roasted and is an arctic survival food. Song birds and water fowl eat the seeds.  Pennsylvania Smartweed can be planted to attract birds.  It can become an invasive weed when planted. Other members of this genus have medicinal actions.  In classical times Polygonum multiflorum was used believed to prevent excessive bruising and stimulate tissue repair; in Chinese herbal medicine, it is a yin tonic thought to be useful for sore throats, coughs and bronchial congestion and chest pain.  Polygonum aviculare has astringent and diuretic properties and has been used to treat diarrhea, hemorrhoids, to expel worms and to stop nose bleeds.  Polygonum bistorta is one of the most strongly astringent of all herbs.  It makes a valuable mouthwash and gargle for treating gums, canker sores and sore throats.  Internally, it has been used to treat peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis and conditions such as dysentery and irritable bowel syndrome.     

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.