POLYGONACEAE  

Polygonum hydropiperoides

Common Name:  Swamp Smartweed, Water-pepper

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habit - low growing in moist areas another look at the habit - showing both erect and prostrate stems. The inflorescences bearing white-pink flowers are conspicuous above the dark green leaves.

leaves - the dark structures above the point of attachment of the leaves are called ocrea. They are modified stipules that are fused to surround the stem. Ochrea - the ochrea in this species are ciliate (with a fringe of hairs) along their margin
flowers - the petals and sepals are not differentiated in this species and are called tepals