Persicaria decipiens

Family Polygonaceae

Slender Knotweed

Decumbent to ascending perennial herb to 30 cm high, with sprawling growth, leaves with red – purple markings.

Flowers: Pink, on narrow spikes, November – June. Reported to be pollinated by honeybees, native bees, flies, wasps and small butterflies.

Fruit: Nut 1 mm long, November - June.

Seed: Dispersed in macropod scats at the Australian Botanic Garden.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

• Moist habitats, swamps, dams in partial shade to full sun
• Surrounding many lakes and dams at the Australian Botanic Garden, in ephemeral wet zone
• Dies back in winter and during drought