About Persicaria arifolia (L.) Haraldson
Persicaria arifolia (L.) Haraldson was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. This is an annual plant that flowers from summer through fall. Blooming flowers have a pink and white coloration. When fully mature, the species reaches a height of 2 to 4 feet. Its common name, Halberd-leaf tearthumb, comes from small thorns along its stems that are sharp enough to cut human skin. This species is widely distributed across North America. It occurs along the eastern side of the United States and Canada, ranging from Georgia in the south to Quebec in the north, and also grows in high concentrations in the midwestern United States. It can typically be found growing near marshes and in brushy areas. There are no known recorded uses for Persicaria arifolia.
