Polygonum spergulariiforme Meisn. ex Small
spurry knotweed
Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Dave Ingram     (Photo ID #5420)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Polygonum spergulariiforme
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Species Information

General:
Annual herb from a small taproot; stems ascending to erect, numerous, simple to freely branched, 10-40 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves lacking; stem leaves alternate, linear to narrowly oblong, egg-shaped or elliptic, the blades 1-8 cm long, unstalked or nearly so, sometimes reduced to bracts above; stipules short-sheathing, 5-12 mm long, clear, becoming ragged.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of few flowers in elongate axillary racemes; perianths 1.5-5 mm long, greenish with white or pinkish margins, 5-lobed nearly to the base.
Fruits:
Achenes, lanceolate to egg-shaped, sometimes 3-angled, black, smooth and shiny, 2-4 mm long.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Habitat and Range

Moist to dry gravelly sites in the lowland and steppe zones; common on S Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and adjacent coast; S to ID, CO and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Polygonum douglasii subsp. spergulariiforme (Meisn. ex Small) J.C. Hickman