Polygonum

• Authority

  Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

• Family

  Polygonaceae

• Scientific Name

  Polygonum L.

• Description

  Genus Description - Fls perfect or unisexual; pedicels jointed at or near the summit; tep (4)5(6), connate below; stamens 3–8; ovary flattened or trigonous, with 2–3 minute, usually capitate stigmas, the styles usually short or obsolete, separate or united; fr a lenticular or trigonous achene, wholly or in large part enclosed by the persistent perianth; embryo at one angle of the achene; annual or perennial herbs (seldom shrubs), commonly with well developed ocreae; fls borne in axillary clusters or terminal (often also axillary) spike-like racemes, or in terminal heads or panicles. Most of the several sections have been taken by some authors as distinct genera. Our spp. mostly flower from early or midsummer into fall. 200, widespread, mainly temp.