Polygonum argyrocoleon

Plants green, heterophyllous. Stems erect or decumbent, branched mostly from base, not wiry, 15–100 cm. Leaves: ocrea 4–8 mm, proximal part cylindric, distal part soon disintegrating into curly or straight fibers; petiole 0–1.5 mm; blade bluish green, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, 15–50 × 2–8 mm, margins flat, apex acute; stem-leaves 2.1–4 times as long as branch leaves; distal leaves abruptly reduced and not overtopping flowers (shorter than or equaling flowers). Inflorescence axillary and terminal, spikelike; cymes aggregated at tips of stems and branches, 4–6-flowered, bracts inconspicuous. Pedicels enclosed in ocreae, 1–2 mm. Flowers closed; perianth 1.8–2.4 mm; tube 10–22% of perianth length; tepals overlapping, green or white, usually with pink, rarely red or white, margins, petaloid, not keeled, oblong to obovate, cucullate; midveins usually unbranched; stamens 7–8. Achenes enclosed in perianth, brown, ovate, 3-gonous, 1.3–2.3 mm, faces subequal, slightly concave, apex not beaked, with concave edges, shiny, smooth; late-season achenes unknown.

Phenology: Flowering May–Oct.
Habitat: Fields, gardens, disturbed sites, often in saline soils
Elevation: 0-1200 m

Introduced; Ariz., Calif., Colo., Fla., Idaho, La., Mass., Mo., Nev., N.Mex., N.C., Tex., Utah, Vt., W.Va., c Asia

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa