Knotgrass Polygonum aviculare
- Phonetic Spelling
- po-LI-go-num a-vik-yoo-LAIR-ee
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 3-angled achene
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stem is wiry, matted, and prostrate to erect.
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Weedy
