Persicaria filiformis (Thunb.) Nakai

Locations ofPersicaria filiformis (Thunb.) Nakai in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Polygonaceae
Botanical Name
Persicaria filiformis (Thunb.) Nakai
Common Name
Japanese Jumpseed
Synonym(s)
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Not in Flora of Virginia
Comments
The first reports of this Asiatic species naturalizing in Virginia and Maryland were detailed by Simmons et al. in Castanea 85: 277-284 (2020). Persicaria filiformis resembles our native P. virginiana and has been treated by some authorities as a variety of the latter. However, Youngbae, Kim, and Park (2009, A phylogenetic study of Polygonum sect. Tovara (Polygonaceae) based on ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA, J. Plant Biol.) found that ITS sequences clearly separate North American P. virginianum from the Asian species. The unfortunate treatment of P. filiformis as a var. of our native species has led to forms of this species being sold and planted under the name of P. virginianum, and likely to a lack of formal recognition of its invasive potential. Nevertheless, much anecdotal evidence of the invasiveness of P. filiformis can be found on gardening discussion sites throughout the U.S.
Habitat
Escaped from cultivation and starting to become established in mesic upland forests and stream bottoms of urban northern Virginia; also recently found as an escape in the Richmond area. Potentially invasive; the spread of this species needs to be closely monitored, and its cultivation discouraged.
Native Status
Introduced

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