Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb

Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata) is in the knotweed family family (Polygonaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 995 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.

Nationally it blooms mainly from August to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.

When to photograph Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb: observations by month (U.S.)

About Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb

Persicaria sagittata, common names American tearthumb, arrowleaf tearthumb, or arrowvine, is a plant species widespread in the eastern half of North America as well as in eastern Asia. It has been found in every state and province from Texas to Manitoba to Newfoundland to Florida, plus Colorado and Oregon. It also grows in China, the Russian Far East, Siberia, Korea, Japan, northern India and Mongolia. It grows in moist areas along lake shores, stream banks, etc.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Arrow-Leaved Tearthumb by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related wildflowers (knotweed family)

California BuckwheatEriogonum fasciculatum

Low SmartweedPersicaria longiseta

Desert TrumpetEriogonum inflatum

Sulfur BuckwheatEriogonum umbellatum

American jumpseedPersicaria virginiana

Naked BuckwheatEriogonum nudum

Japanese knotweedReynoutria japonica

American bistortBistorta bistortoides

Photography tips

• Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
• Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
• Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
• Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.

FAQ