Species Detail Forb

Flower spike		Yavapai County Native & Naturalized Plants Polygonum punctatum - dotted smartweed Plant Form: Forb Family: Polygonaceae
Flower spike


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Plants Anthony Mendoza @http://swbiodiversity.org

Forb Plant Description

Origin: Native Life Cycle: Annual or perennial
General Desc: Branching occasionally and rather erect in habit.
Identification notes: Flower sepals green (no petals are present), dotted with sunken glands. Sheaths with marginal bristles. Plants not aquatic (not found in standing water).
Height: 3 feet

Habitat

Habitat Description: Occurs almost always in wetlands.
Plant Communities: Riparian
Elevation: 2500 - 6200 feet

Flower Characteristics

Color: White, green Shape: Bell-shaped in elongated clusters Tubular: Y Flowering Period: Jul - Oct
Description: The greenish-white flowers (1/16 inch across) have sepals but no petals and form clusters 1 to 2-1/2 inches long at the end of stems. The 5 sepals are more or less tightly folded against each other and are dotted with white glandular spots.

Leaf and Stem Characteristics

Leaf Color: Green Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Shape: Narrow Leaf Margin: Smooth Leaf Attachment: Alternate Leaves Clasp: N
Hairs: No Spines: N
Leaf Description: Leaves (2 to 6 inches long, 1/4 inch wide) have short petioles. At the base of each leaf is a sheath that wraps around the stem. Usually hairless but sometimes have a few hairs along the lower mid-rib.

Fruit and Seed Characteristics

Fruit Color: Dark brown, black
Fruit Type: Achene
Seed Notes: Each flower is replaced by an achene that is shiny, dark brown to black, three-angled, and rather oblong.


	Arizona Cooperative Extension Yavapai County 840 Rodeo Dr #C Prescott, AZ 86305 (928) 445-6590	Version 8.0 http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants/SpeciesDetailForb.php Last Updated: Feb 16, 2020 Content Questions/Comments: Email Jeff Schalau Legal Disclaimer