Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.147112
Element CodePDPGN0L170
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 hydropiperoidesMichx.
Other Common NamesRenouée faux-poivre-d'eau (FR) Swamp Smartweed (EN) swamp smartweed (EN)
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 CommentsTreated as Persicaria hydropiperoides in Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2005).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-05-15
Change Date1985-05-11
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 hydropiperoides is a perennial forb occurring as a native species in freshwater wetland and aquatic habitats of the Americas (North, Central, South) and Mexico. There are over 2,400 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 hydropiperoides is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPersicaria hydropiperoides occurs in the Americas, in North America, in southeastern and southwestern Canada, the United States, and Mexico, in Central America, and in South America (FNA 2005). In the United States and Canada, it occurs from southern Alaska and southwestern British Columbia south through California and some western states (except for Montana south through Utah and Colorado), east to Florida, and north to Ontario and Nova Scotia It also occurs elsewhere as an introduced taxon (POWO 2025). The native range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). 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 2,400 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Persicaria hydropiperoides 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.