Fallopia scandens (Linnaeus) Holub. Section: Fallopia. Common name: Common Climbing Buckwheat. Phenology: Jul-Oct. Habitat: Moist to wet open habitats. Distribution: NS, ON and MB, south to c. peninsular FL and se. TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: There has been widespread skepticism about the recognition of two taxa at species or variety rank, 'scandens' and 'cristata'. Desjardins et al. (2023) cast additional doubt based on molecular evidence ("almost identical for the markers analysed", "not worthy of taxonomic recognition" based on molecular, morphometric, and chemotaxonomic evidence. We here lump the two taxa sometimes recognized. If recognized, Fallopia cristata has smaller floral parts: perianth 7-10 mm long at maturity (measured from the pedicel joint to the tip) and achenes 2-3.5 mm long, vs. perianth 10-15 mm long at maturity (measured from the pedicel joint to the tip) and achenes 3.5-6 mm long
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, Can, FNA5, K4, Mi, Pa, Tn, Desjardins et al (2023), Ronse De Craene & Akeroyd (1988); = Polygonum scandens L. — Tx, W, WH3, WV, Horton (1972); = Tiniaria scandens (L.) Small; > Bilderdykia cristata (Engelm. & A.Gray) Greene — S; > Bilderdykia scandens (L.) Greene — S; > Fallopia cristata (Engelm. & A.Gray) Holub — Il, NE, NY, Va; > Fallopia scandens (L.) Holub — Il, NE, NY, Va; > Polygonum cristatum Engelm. & A.Gray — F, Tat, Tx, WV; > Polygonum scandens L. — F, Tat; > Polygonum scandens L. var. cristatum (Engelm. & A.Gray) Gleason — C, GW2, NcTx, RAB, Mitchell & Dean (1978); > Polygonum scandens L. var. scandens — C, GrPl, GW2, RAB, Mitchell & Dean (1978); > Tiniaria cristata (Engelm. & A.Gray) Small — S13; > Tiniaria scandens (L.) Small — S13; Polygonum scandens L. Basionym: Polygonum scandens L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Fallopia scandens - FNA5
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Herbaceous perennial vine of moist to wet, open habitats including floodplains, thickets, clearings and meadows.
Stems: Stems twining, sharply angled and roughened on the edges, often becoming reddish with age.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate and with a membranous sheath (ocrea) where stalk joins stem (shed as leaf matures), oval to heart- or arrowhead-shaped, 2-5 in. long, somewhat rough along margins and veins.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in erect, unbranched, axillary racemes; light green to white; less than 1/4 in. long; consisting of 5 tepals (the outer 3 strongly winged with a pale ruffle), 8 greenish-white stamens and a 3-parted style. Flowers are initially erect-spreading but droop as fruit ripens.
Fruits: Fruit dangling, with a green center and 3 large, white, ruffled wings; containing a glossy black achene.
Comments:
Height: to 20 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Herbaceous perennial vine of moist to wet, open habitats including floodplains, thickets, clearings and meadows.
stems: Stems twining, sharply angled and roughened on the edges, often becoming reddish with age.
leaves: Leaves alternate, petiolate and with a membranous sheath (ocrea) where stalk joins stem (shed as leaf matures), oval to heart- or arrowhead-shaped, 2-5 in. long, somewhat rough along margins and veins.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in erect, unbranched, axillary racemes; light green to white; less than 1/4 in. long; consisting of 5 tepals (the outer 3 strongly winged with a pale ruffle), 8 greenish-white stamens and a 3-parted style. Flowers are initially erect-spreading but droop as fruit ripens.
fruits: Fruit dangling, with a green center and 3 large, white, ruffled wings; containing a glossy black achene.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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