Polygonum perfoliatum L.

  • 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 perfoliatum L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Annual, clambering and with reflexed-prickly stems and petioles as in the preceding 2 spp., climbing to several m; lvs thin, glabrous deltoid to hastate- cordate, shortly peltate at base, 3–8 cm, as wide as or wider than long, palmately or pinnipalmately veined; ocreae foliaceous-expanded; upper lvs represented only by the conspicuous, perfoliate ocreae; racemes spike-like, 1–2 cm, few-fld; stigmas 3; perianth 3–5 mm, persistent, thickening to form a fleshy, berry-like, iridescent-blue covering over the rotund-trigonous achene; 2n=24. Native of e. Asia, intr. and established in Pa., Md., and W.Va.; to be expected to spread.

  • Common Names

    mile-a-minute