It is native to much of North America, Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa,[2] and it grows elsewhere as an introduced species and sometimes a noxious weed.

[citation needed] Persicaria amphibia is native to a large area across the northern hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, North America, and parts of Africa.

It is a rhizomatous perennial herb which takes a variety of forms and is quite variable in morphology.

Dry-land and fully aquatic plants are sometimes considered different named varieties of the species.

[5] Various parts of this plant were used by several Native American groups as medicinal remedies and sometimes as food.