Plant · GBIF taxon 6391194
spotted lady's thumb
Persicaria maculosaAlso known as Lady's Thumb, Redshank, Jesusplant, Heartspot Smartweed
Spotted lady's thumb features dense, spike-like clusters of pinkish-purple flowers atop narrow stems lined with lance-shaped leaves. Each leaf prominently displays a dark purple or black blotch near its center, resembling a thumbprint. Flourishing in damp soils and disturbed ground, this resilient annual quickly establishes dense patches across temperate regions.
AnnualWildflowerInvasive
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic
Predators
- Japanese Beetle
- Aphids
- Slugs
ThreatsHerbicides, weed control, land development
HabitatsDisturbed soil, gardens, roadsides, riverbanks
Life span1 year
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCaryophyllales
- FamilyPolygonaceae
- GenusPersicaria
- SpeciesPersicaria maculosa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Leaf Spot ID: Look for the distinct dark central blotch on each leaf to distinguish it from similar smartweeds.
- Sheath Inspection: Check the fringed sheath surrounding stem nodes for accurate identification.
- Garden Management: Hand-pull before seeds set if controlling this fast-spreading plant in garden beds.
Close Relative 
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Sandy Wolkenberg, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sandy Wolkenberg · cc-byFamily Member
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