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