Lady's thumb
Persicaria maculosa
Family: PolygonaceaeNative: Lady's thumb is native to Europe and Asia but has been introduced and naturalized in many parts of the world, including North America, where it is often considered a common weed.Identified: Jun 20, 2025
Lady's thumb is a common annual weed with lance-shaped leaves that often have a distinctive dark blotch near the center, resembling a thumbprint. Its stems are reddish and often swollen at the nodes. It produces small, pinkish-white to reddish flowers in dense, spike-like clusters.
Learn more about Lady's thumb in the encyclopedia →Care instructions
As a weed, Lady's thumb generally requires control rather than care. For cultivation, it is often treated as an annual that thrives in disturbed soils. It prefers moist, fertile soils and full sun to partial shade. If grown intentionally, ensure adequate moisture and nutrients. For weed control, methods include hand-pulling, cultivation, or appropriate herbicide application before seed set.