Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb
ExplorePlants
Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb
persicaria sagittata
The Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb is a fun plant with arrow-shaped leaves that kids can spot in wetlands! Its tiny flowers attract many insects, making it a busy place for nature lovers.
Habitat: Wetlands, marshes, and riverbanks
Appearance
The Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb is a slender, climbing plant with distinctive arrow-shaped leaves. Its reddish stems are armed with tiny, backward-pointing barbs, giving it a prickly feel. Small clusters of delicate pink or white flowers bloom along the upper stems in late summer.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyPolygonaceaeGenusPersicaria
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its name 'Tearthumb' comes from the tiny hooks that can gently catch your skin!
Look closely, and you'll see its tiny pink flowers are shaped like miniature stars!
Some people cook and eat its young leaves, which have a refreshing, tart flavor!
This plant can form dense, tangled mats, creating amazing shelter for small animals!
Special abilities
Ability
Clinging Climber
Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb has tiny recurved barbs on its stems that help it cling to other plants, enabling it to climb upwards for more sunlight.
Ability
Wetland Wanderer
Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb can thrive in waterlogged soils, using specialized root adaptations to access oxygen in boggy environments.
Ability
Tear-Inducing Touch
Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb has sharp prickles along its stems and leaf margins that can cause a mild, stinging sensation if touched.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-200 cm
- Spread
- 30-150 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer-fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
eaten by
Mallard duck
Anas platyrhynchos
Ducks consume the plant's seeds.
eaten by
Marsh Rice Rat
Oryzomys palustris
Small mammals browse on the foliage.
shelters
American Bullfrog
Rana catesbeiana
Provides cover within its dense growth.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
ArrowleafTearthumb
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb?
30-200 cm
How wide does Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb spread?
30-150 cm
How big are the flowers on Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb?
0.2-0.4 cm
When does Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb bloom?
Summer-fall
Is Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb edible?
Yes
Is Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb toxic?
Mild
What is Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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