Contains 12 genera and 52 accepted taxa overall.
This family is completely databased for all specimens.
Characteristics
POLYGONACEAE
Dicot
-
Classification
CARYOPHYLLALES
POLYGONACEAE
Genera
| Genus | Common Name | Taxa Count | Herbarium Specimens | Photos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antigonon | LOVECHAIN | 1 | ||
| Brunnichia | BUCKWHEATVINE | 1 | ||
| Coccoloba | SEAGRAPE; PIGEON PLUM | 3 | ||
| Emex | THREECORNERJACK | 1 | ||
| Eriogonum | WILD BUCKWHEAT | 2 | ||
| Fagopyrum | BUCKWHEAT | 1 | ||
| Fallopia | FALSE BUCKWHEAT | 2 | ||
| Persicaria | SMARTWEED | 16 | ||
| Polygonum | KNOTWEED; JOINTWEED | 12 | ||
| Reynoutria | 1 | |||
| Rumex | DOCK | 11 | ||
| Triplaris | LONG JOHN | 1 |
Identification Key
1. Ocrea absent; leaves whorled or predominantly basal
1. Ocrea present (a nodal sheath arising from the base of the petiole and sheathing the stem above the petiole), sometimes obscure or fibrous; leaves alternate and cauline
2
2. Shrubs or trees
3
2. Herbs or vines
4
3. Young stems solid; ocrea persistent; fruit a fleshy berry; ectomycorrhizal with mushroom-forming fungi
3. Young stems hollow; ocrea caducous; fruit a winged achene; not ectomycorrhizal
4. Vines with tendrils
5
4. Herbs or vines without tendrils
6
5. Leaf blade base usually cordate, the sinus often as long as the petiole, blade with conspicuous reticulate venation; tepals pink, rarely white to yellowish
5. Leaf blade base truncate to cordate, if cordate the sinus shorter than the petiole, blade reticulate venation obscure; tepals green to greenish white
6. Branch bases adnate to the stem, appearing to arise above the node
6. Branches appearing directly from the node, not adnate to the stem
7
7. Tepals 6 (rarely 5)
8
7. Tepals 3-5
9
8. Flowers unisexual; outer 3 tepals of pistillate flowers each with apex ending in stout spine
8. Flowers bisexual or, rarely, unisexual; outer 3 tepals each without apex ending in stout spine
9. Outer tepals winged or keeled
10
9. Outer tepals without wings or keels
11
10. Vines, sometimes scandent or sprawling; larger leaf blades 2-7 cm wide; stigmas capitate
10. Erect herbs; larger leaf blades 4.5-30 cm wide; stigmas fimbriate
11. Tepals free; achenes exserted
11. Tepals connate for at least part of their length; achenes exserted or not
12
12. Ocreae chartaceous, usually tan, brown, or reddish, rarely silvery, glabrous or scabrous to variously pubescent, never 2-lobed distally, often tearing with age; tepals generally with 3 main veins from the base
12. Ocreae often hyaline, silvery, glabrous, 2-lobed distally, often disintegrating into fibers or completely; tepals generally with 1 primary vein from the base