(Linneaus) H. Gross
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.146803
Element CodePDPGN0L240
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderPolygonales
FamilyPolygonaceae
GenusPersicaria
SynonymsPolygonum sagittatumL.Truellum sagittatum(L.) Sojak
Other Common Namesarrowleaf tearthumb (EN) Arrow-leaved Smartweed (EN) Renouée sagittée (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsFNA (vol. 5, 2005) transfers Polygonum sagittatum to Persicaria sagittata.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-05-15
Change Date1984-06-25
Edition Date2025-05-15
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPersicaria sagittata is an annual forb occurring in moist shaded habitats, meadows, fens, bogs, swamps, marshes, thickets, and riparian areas of North America and Asia, from Manitoba south through Colorado and Texas, east to Florida, and north to Newfoundland and Labrador in the United States and Canada. There are over 3,000 estimated occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, succession, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Persicaria sagittata is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPersicaria sagittata occurs in North America and Asia (FNA 2005). In North America, it is found from Manitoba south through Colorado and Texas, east to Florida, and north to Newfoundland and Labrador in the United States and Canada. Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, there are estimated to be over 3,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Persicaria sagittata is likely threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, succession, recreational activities, invasive species, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.