User:Adoreplants/Persicaria glabra

Persicaria glabra, commonly known as the Smooth Smartweed or the Denseflower Knotweed, is a herbaceous plant within the knotweed family. It was published by Manuel Gomez in 1896 within a journal titled Anales Inst. Segunda Ensenanza Habana. It has plant specimens growing in multiple areas within North and South America, the Caribbean, Madagascar, and Asia. Plant synonyms of this species include Persicaria densiflora and Polygonum glabrum. This plant can naturally be found in mostly wetland areas, as it considered an Obligate Wetland Plant by both the Department of Environmental Protection and the National Wetland Plant List.

Description
Persicaria glabra can be described as a fairly tall plant averaging at a height of 3-15 decimeters (12-59 inches). It has a lanceolate leaf shape and alternate leaf arrangements. This means that the tip of the leaf is often tapered with a rounded bottom and arranged one after the other in a zig-zag pattern. Persicaria glabra leaves also tend to be light brown in color, 12-23 mm in size, and have glabrous (without hair) or scabrous (short and rough hairs) surface. The base of the leaf is tapered while the tip can range from acute to acuminate in shape. Its stems are glabrous, branched distally, and range from a decumbent to erect position.

Even though it is a perennial plant, Persicaria glabra tends to flower between the months of June to November displaying pink and white flowers. The flowers itself tend to be 3-3.6 millimeters with 5-7 stamens, 2 styles, and pink or red anthers. Interestingly, Persicaria glabra contains around 5 tepals (tepals referring to having sepals and petals that are undistinguishable) arranged in a raceme. The veins within the flower are non-prominent with entire margins and a rounded or obtuse apex. Lastly, its achenes are black and brown.

Taxonomy
This plant was first publish by Manuel Gomez in 1896. It is part of the of the persicaria genus and the polygonaceae family. The polygonaceae family itself naturally occurs within the North Hemisphere and contains over 1,000 species. The most common type of plants within this family are herbaceous and shrubs. It is comprised of mostly buckwheat, knotweeds, and renouées. Persicaria glabra is a part of the Caryophyllales order, Magnoliopsida class, and the Plantae kingdom. Based on the divisions or phylums of this plant being classified as Tracheophyta and Spermatophytina, you can also conclude that Persicaria glabra is a vascular plant that is seed-bearing.

Distribution & Habitat
As of today, Persicaria glabra specimens are distributed across many continents. It is native to South America and the Southeastern USA. Yet, over 55 specimens can be found in 20 different areas. For example, in the country of Mexico alone, Persicaria glabra was found in around 13 different regions. Additionally, within the state of Florida, Persicaria glabra was maintained and kept by over 50 different people.

Its natural habitat occurs within very wet areas, such as swamps and marshy shores. It is deemed as an OBL plant on the National Wetland Plant List of 2020 meaning around 99% of its specimens are found on wetlands.

Uses (Culture)
Under synonymic names such as Polygonum glabrum, many medicinal uses has been published. These medicinal treatments range from anti-inflammatory treatments to pharmaceutical studies. For example, in 1987 within the Journal of Ethno-Pharmacology, Polygonum glabrum was able to show decreasing effects of toxicity within albino-mice facing conditions such as acute carrageenan-induced paw oedema and formaldehyde arthritis. Polygonum glabrum was also studied for anthelmintic properties. It was reported within the Journal of Ethno-Pharmacology, that a pure anthelmintic substance was isolated from the plant and was compared with other substances of its kind. Lastly, there has also been reports of Persicaria glabra being used as blood medicine within Hawaii.