Checklist » Polygonaceae » Persicaria punctata
Persicaria punctata (Elliott) Small[FNA5, HC2]
dotted knotweed, dotted smartweed, water smartweed

Publication: Fl. S.E. U.S. 1903.

Origin: Native

Herbarium search: CPNWH

Notes: FNA5: "N. C. Fassett (1949) proposed a complicated classification for Persicaria punctata with 12 varieties in North America and South America. He also identified numerous specimens that he considered to be morphologically intermediate between various varieties. M. Dalci (1972) documented a wide range of phenotypic and genotypic variation throughout the range of P. punctata and extensive overlap in many of the features used by Fassett to distinguish varieties. Consequently, recognition of varieties does not seem warranted. Persicaria punctata and its close relatives P. robustior and P. glabra are unique among native North American smartweeds in possessing complex glands called valvate chambers in their epidermises. Persicaria punctata is confused most frequently with P. hydropiper; the achenes are diagnostic."

References:

» Fassett, N. C. 1949. The variations of Polygonum punctatum. Brittonia 6:369-393.

Last updated 2/12/2024 by David Giblin.

Synonyms & Misapplied Names:
Polygonum acre Kunth
Polygonum acre Kunth var. leptostachyum Meisn.
Polygonum punctatum Elliott[HC, ILBC4, JPM]
Polygonum punctatum Elliott var. confertiflorum (Meisn.) Fassett[KZ99]
Polygonum punctatum Elliott var. ellipticum Fassett