The upper stems of pale smartweed (Polygonum lapathifolium) terminate in spike-like racemes of flowers. These racemes are about 2-8" long, and droop conspicuously downward. The small flowers are densely crowded together along the length of the raceme. They are usually white or greenish white, and less often light pink. Each flower is about 1/8" long, consisting of 5 sepals and no petals. Because the flowers usually don't open fully, the inner sepals are often difficult to observe. At the base of each flower, there is a short stout pedicel. The blooming period occurs from mid-summer to early fall, and lasts about 2 months.