ExplorePlants

spotted lady's thumb

Persicaria maculosa

The spotted lady's thumb is a pretty plant with small, pink flowers and leaves that have unique spots. It often grows in gardens and fields, making it a lovely sight for everyone to enjoy.

Habitat: Fields and gardens

Appearance

The spotted lady's thumb has slender stems with pointed, lance-shaped green leaves, famously marked with a dark, often triangular or thumbprint-like spot in the center. Its tiny, dense flowers are typically pink to purplish-red, clustered tightly at the tips of its stems. This distinct leaf spot helps differentiate it from similar plants.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyPolygonaceaeGenusPersicaria
spotted lady's thumb
spotted trait badgeflowering trait badgebiennial trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
spotted lady's thumb

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

6

Interesting facts

Chewing its leaves can leave a peppery, slightly spicy taste on your tongue!

Its tiny seeds can stay alive in soil for over 50 years, waiting to sprout!

Some people traditionally used its crushed leaves to soothe skin irritations!

This plant was once used as a natural yellow dye for fabrics like wool!

Special abilities

Ability

Rapid Colonizer

Spotted lady's thumb can quickly grow in disturbed soils, helping it colonize new areas fast.

Ability

Seed Survivor

Spotted lady's thumb has seeds that can remain dormant in the soil for many years, waiting for ideal conditions.

Ability

Peppery Protector

Spotted lady's thumb leaves contain compounds that can give a peppery taste, potentially deterring some herbivores.

Measurements & details

Height
10-80 cm
Spread
15-40 cm
Flower Size
0.2-0.4 cm
Bloom Season
Summer-fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Annual
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

visits flowers for nectar

eats

Cabbage Moth

Mamestra brassicae

caterpillars feed on leaves

eaten by

House Sparrow

Passer domesticus

eats the small seeds

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always check with an adult before touching or picking any plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify spotted lady's thumb?

The easiest way to identify spotted lady's thumb is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is spotted lady's thumb?

10-80 cm

How wide does spotted lady's thumb spread?

15-40 cm

How big are the flowers on spotted lady's thumb?

0.2-0.4 cm

When does spotted lady's thumb bloom?

Summer-fall

Is spotted lady's thumb edible?

Yes

Is spotted lady's thumb toxic?

None

What is spotted lady's thumb's lifecycle?

Annual

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Where to spot

More Plants