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

Zimbabwe: 3 taxa.

Insects associated with this genus:

Comostilopsis stillata (Pink-laced Emerald) Food plant

Eicochrysops hippocrates (White-tipped blue) Larval foodplant

Grammodes bifasciata Larval foodplant

Rhodometra sacraria (Vestal) Food plant

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

Species	FZ divisions	Content
arenastrum Boreau	E
aviculare L.	W,C
plebeium R.Br.	N,W,C,E,S	Description, Image

Other sources of information about Polygonum:

Our websites:

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