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Polygonum aviculare

Phonetic Spelling
po-LI-go-num a-vik-yoo-LAIR-ee
Description

Prostrate knotweed is a summer annual weed related to buckwheat and dock originally from Eurasia. It grows in fields and wetlands both in high and low elevations throughout the world and in all 50 states of the USA. Each plant is capable of producing thousands of seeds that stay viable for several years. The plant grows low to the ground on long stems up to 3 feet long so mowing is ineffective.

Prostrate Knotweed is capable of growing in virtually any soil, including heavily contaminated ones. It is problematic for grain and crop fields, lawns and cities as it will grow up in the cracks of pavement and along roads.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#summer annual weed#warm season weed#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#summer annual weed#warm season weed#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Polygonum
    Species:
    aviculare
    Family:
    Polygonaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Parts of the plant used medicinally
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Macaronesia and Eurasia
    Distribution:
    Temperate regions worldwide.
    Edibility:
    Seeds edible raw or ground into a flour
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    3-angled achene
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    A small cluster of tiny green, pink or purple flowers with no petals in the axil of leaves near the stem end occur mid-summer to early fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    1-inch by 1/3 inch oblong green to blue-green, smooth, alternate leaves with entire margins. A membranous sheath (ochrea) wraps around the stem at the base of each leaf.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stem is wiry, matted, and prostrate to erect.
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Weedy