User:Ashley.Clarke1/Persicaria elatior

Persicaria elatior, commonly known as tall knotweed and smart pinkweed, is a flowering plant species from the Polygonaeceae family. This herbaceous, perennial plant species is native to eastern Australia and is currently endangered.

Description
The Persicaria elatior is an erect growing herb which potentially grows up to 90 cm tall. This particular species is differentiated from other Persicaria species because of the stalked, glandular hairs present on the majority of its parts, however occasional sessile (stalkless) glands do arise. The narrow leaves that alternate up its stem are normally 3-11 cm long and 1-3 cm wide, with a petiole 0.5-1.5 cm long. A stipular sheath with glandular hairs approximately 0.5 mm long encircles the stem at the base of the leaf, carrying out a characteristic of the Polygonaceae family. The floral organs of these knotweeds are usually in multiples of four or five and bloom mostly in the summer season. Its small pink flowers are arranged in elongated yet cylindrical, narrow yet dense spikes (around 4-5 cm). The fruits that this species can bear are lenticular nuts approximately 2.5 mm long.

Taxonomy
As mentioned before, tall knotweeds are herbaceous plants apart of the Polygonaeceae family, also referred to as the Buckwheat Family in the United States. This species was previously known as Polygonum elatius.

Distribution and Habitat
Persicaria elatior is native to Queensland, a state situated to northeastern Australia. A few of this species can also be seen distributed throughout parts of New South Wales, another state on Australia's east coast. This scattered plant grows on sandy, alluvial soil in disturbed, moist, and swampy wetlands. It is normally sited along the margins of standing water or stream banks.

Threats
Coming in contact with a Persicaria elatior is rare being as though the species is very scattered and scarce. This species has been listed as vulnerable and endangered since July 16, 2000 according to the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. The paramount identified threats to the Tall knotweed species are:


 * unintentional clearing of damp habitats
 * habitat depletion as coastal areas are being eradicated for urban development
 * damage caused by construction and railroad maintenance activities
 * hydrological changes are interfering wetland plant life and vegetation

Uses (or Culture)
As of right now, the cultural uses for this particular species is unknown.