Fauna
Flower

Pink Knotweed

Persicaria capitata

Also known as Pink-headed Persicaria, Pinkhead Smartweed, Pink Bubble Persicaria

Pink knotweed forms dense, creeping carpets across rocky crevices and disturbed ground, rooting readily wherever its reddish prostrate stems touch moist soil. Distinctive dark purple V-shaped chevrons mark each oval leaf, providing a striking backdrop to the pompom-like clusters of miniature pink blossoms that bloom from spring until frost. While valued as a resilient garden groundcover, its vigorous creeping habit has allowed it to naturalize in mild climates around the world.

Ground CoverFloweringOrnamental
Pink Knotweed reference1 / 7
(c) Forest and Kim Starr, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Snails and Slugs
  • Foliage-feeding Caterpillars
  • Grasshoppers
ThreatsDisplacement by aggressive weeds, severe prolonged freezing
HabitatsMontane slopes, rocky outcrops, roadsides, garden borders
Life spanPerennial (short-lived or grown as an annual in cold climates)
Classification
  1. OrderCaryophyllales
  2. FamilyPolygonaceae
  3. GenusPersicaria
  4. SpeciesPersicaria capitata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Foliage Check: Examine leaves in bright sunlight to clearly spot the distinct reddish-purple chevron band.
  • Bloom Details: Use a hand lens on the round, button-like flower clusters to view the tiny five-lobed florets.
  • Spreading Habits: Check along trail borders or stone walls to see stems rooting at their nodes into small crevices.
Related species
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