Persicaria maculosa Gray

Glabrous or glabrate, taprooted annual; stems erect to spreading, 0.1–1 m tall, often reddish, glabrous or with scattered antrorse hairs. Lvs on main stem similar to those on branches; petiole 2–12–(20) mm long. Lamina (1.2)–4–15 × 1.2–4 cm, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, usually with a central dark blotch above, with scattered appressed hairs or more obviously hairy on midrib below, inconspicuously glandular-punctate, ciliate, entire; base cuneate; apex acute to acuminate. Ochreae to c. 1.5 cm long, fringed, often hairy, initially truncate, green or pinkish. Fls in erect, dense, spike-like, eglandular infls; spike usually not interrupted below, cylindric, sometimes very narrow and open, mostly terminal, to 4–(5) × 0.7–1.5 cm; peduncles eglandular; pedicels short, ± hidden amongst ochreae-like bracts; bracts always long-ciliate. Perianth 2–3 mm long, somewhat accrescent, eglandular, usually pale to deep pink, occasionally white; segments ± broad-elliptic, imbricate; veins straight or gently curved. Nuts 2–2.5 mm long, biconvex or trigonous with rounded margins, sometimes slightly biconcave, brownish black, shining.

[From: Webb et al. (1985) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4 as Polygonum persicaria L.]