Persicaria bungeana, commonly known as Bunge’s smartweed, is an herbaceous annual plant native to a variety of habitats including riverbanks, roadsides, and fields in East Asia, specifically China, Japan, Manchuria, and Korea. It typically grows to a height of 1 to 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 meters). This species is characterized by its lance-shaped leaves and spikes of small, white or pink flowers that bloom in summer and early fall. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they do attract pollinators. It has a fibrous root system and can spread rapidly under favorable conditions.

Bunge’s smartweed is valued for its rapid growth and adaptability to various soil types, making it a potential ground cover in areas where it is not invasive. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils. However, due to its invasive nature, it is not commonly recommended for cultivation outside its native range. In its native habitat, it can be found in agricultural fields where it may compete with crops. Gardeners should be cautious as it can become a problematic weed, and its aggressive growth can lead to dominance over native plant species.CC BY-SA 4.0