2201.000 Polygonum L. - Knotgrasses

Ronse Decraene, L.-P. & Akeroyd, J.R. (1988) Generic limits in Polygonum and related genera (Polygonaceae) on the basis of floral characters Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 98 321-371

Description of the genus

Annual or perennial herbs, usually (in ours) prostrate. Ochreae present. Leaves small compared to Persicaria. Inflorescences all axillary, each with 6 or fewer flowers; bracts similar to the leaves. Perianth segments 4, petaloid, not enlarging in fruit. Stamens 8. Styles 3, free; nut 3-angled.

Worldwide: 20 species in northern temperate zones

Botswana: 2 taxa.

The larvae of the following species of insect eat species of this genus:
Comostilopsis stillata (Pink-laced Emerald)
Eicochrysops hippocrates (White-tipped blue)
Grammodes bifasciata
Rhodometra sacraria (Vestal)
Polygonum plebeium

Links to taxa:     View: living plant images - herbarium specimen images - all images for this genus

SpeciesFZ divisionsContent
aviculare L.
plebeium R.Br.NDescription, Image

Other sources of information about Polygonum:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: Polygonum
Flora of Malawi: Polygonum
Flora of Mozambique: Polygonum
Flora of Zambia: Polygonum
Flora of Zimbabwe: Polygonum

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Polygonum
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Polygonum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Polygonum
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Polygonum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Polygonum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Polygonum
JSTOR Plant Science: Polygonum
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Polygonum
Plants of the World Online: Polygonum
Tropicos: Polygonum
Wikipedia: Polygonum

Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2014-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Botswana: Genus page: Polygonum.
https://www.botswanaflora.com/speciesdata/genus.php?genus_id=515, retrieved 19 March 2024

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