Pennsylvania Smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum)

Family: Polygonaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Polygonum pensylvanicum is a ANNUAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in). It is in flower from April to December. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

None known. — Harvested fresh in season according to PFAF botanical monograph.

Habitat & North American Range

Waste ground in moist soils. Moist, disturbed places, ditches, riverbanks, cultivated fields, shorelines of ponds and reservoirs from sea level to 1800 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)