mild waterpepper, Persicaria hydropiperoides

Mild waterpepper is also called false waterpepper smartweed, or almost any combination of those labels. Two sites with info about water plants say mild waterpepper is less showy than its relatives, but has a subtle beauty of its own. Apparently its attractions do pale in comparison because I find little mention of uses for this plant. I guess we don't bother with the mild when we can get the better waterpepper (P. hydropiper). Both species are common and widespread natives. Mild water-pepper grows in wetlands in every state except CO, HI, UT, and WY, and in BC, NB, NS, ON, and QC. Lenawee Co MI, 9/1/11. Knotweed family, Polygonaceae.