Polygonum erectum

Polygonum erectum, commonly called erect knotweed, is a North American species of herbaceous plant in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). It is found primarily in the northeastern and north-central parts of the United States, but with scattered populations in other parts of the US and also in Canada.[1]

Polygonum erectum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Polygonum
Species:
P. erectum
Binomial name
Polygonum erectum
L. 1753 not Roth 1783 nor Vell. 1827

Its natural habitat is in bottomland forests and riparian areas. It is tolerant of ecological degradation, and can also be found in disturbed open areas such as pastures and lawns.[2][3]

It was once cultivated for food by Native Americans as part of the group of crops known as the Eastern Agricultural Complex.

Description

Polygonum erectum is an erect annual growing 10–75 cm (4–29.5 in) tall with many to few, non-wiry branches. The leaves have distinct veins and entire edges or have jagged cut edges. The pedicels are shorter or equal the length of the calyx and typically longer than the ocreae. The closed flowers have a calyx that is typically 3 mm long, green in color and 5-lobed. Flowers in clusters of 1 to 5 in cymes that are produced in the axils of most leaves. The calyx segments are unequal with the outer lobes longer and not keeled and the inner ones narrowly keeled. The tepals are greenish, with yellowish tinting or sometimes with whitish tints. The seeds are produced in fruits called achenes that can be of two different types; one type is dark brown with a shiny surface and is broadly egg-shaped, typically about 2.5 mm (1–10 inch) long. The other achene type is dull brown, exsert and egg-shaped, and 3–3.5 mm (0.12–0.14 in) long. Late season fruiting is uncommon and if produced the achenes are 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 in) long.[4][5]

  • Botanical illustration of Polygonum erectum

Conservation

Polygonum erectum is considered to be globally secure.[6] However, it is uncommon throughout much of its range, and population have declined dramatically in some regions.[2][7] It is listed as endangered in New Hampshire and New York.[8]

References
  1. "Polygonum erectum". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  2. Yatskievych, George (2013). Flora of Missouri, Volume 3. Missouri Botanical Garden Press. p. 746.
  3. Weakley, Alan (2015). "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States".
  4. Gleason, A., Henry (1963). The new Britton and Brown illustrated flora of the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. New York Botanical Garden by Hafner Pub. Co. pp. 72–84. LCCN 63016478.
  5. Flora of North America, Polygonum erectum Linnaeus, 1753. Erect knotweed, renouée dressée
  6. "Polygonum erectum". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  7. "Polygonum erectum". Go Botany. New England Wildflower Society. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  8. "Polygonum erectum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
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