Polygonum Linnaeus. Subfamily: Polygonoideae. Tribe: Polygoneae. Common name: Knotweed.
A genus of about 45 species, herbs, of temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Based on morphology, Ronse Decraene, Hong, & Smets (2004) suggested that Polygonella should be merged into Polygonum, as part of section Duravia; the close relationship of Polygonella and Polygonum section Duravia was confirmed using molecular evidence by Schuster, Reveal, & Kron (2011). We support a treatment in which Polygonum, Polygonella, and Duravia are recognized as three monophyletic genera; combinations are not yet available to treat all members of section Duravia at generic rank as genus Duravia, however.
References: Brandbyge (1993) In Kubitzki, Rohwer, & Bittrich (1993); Costea & Tardif (2003a); Costea, Tardif, & Hinds (2005f) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2005); Horton (1961); Ronse De Craene, Hong, & Smets (2004); Schuster, Reveal, & Kron (2011). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.





Feedback
See something wrong or missing on about Polygonum? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months. If a species is not keyed, that's because keying is ongoing. Please don't send us feedback about unkeyed species.