Persicaria punctata (Elliott) Small

Family: Polygonaceae


Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)

Polygonum punctatum Elliott

Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)

dotted smartweed

Primary Disseminule Type

fruit (with or without attached perianth)

Description (diagnostics are in brown)

Disseminule is a fruit with or without attached, partially connate tepals (=perianth).

Perianth 5-lobed, greenish to white with white margins, (2)3–3.5 mm long, prominently dotted with brownish glands, veins prominent or not (but NOT forked on outer lobes and curved outward at tips), apex obtuse to rounded.

Fruit an achene, broadly ovate in outline with mucronate apex, rarely biconvex or typically ± trigonous, (1.8)2.2–3.2(3.5) mm long x 1.5–2.2 mm wide. Surface brownish-black to purplish-black, shiny, uneven (minutely pitted).

Similar Species

Similar Species Comparison Chart

Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)

AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI